Gatsibo, 8 March 2014
President Kagame today officially opened the 11th National Leadership Retreat at the Gabiro School of Combat in Gatsibo District where more than 250 members of cabinet, ambassadors, mayors, heads of key government agencies, senior members of the legislature and judiciary are taking part in the three-day retreat.
President Kagame started by wishing all Rwandans a Happy Women’s Day, pointing out that gender equality should be celebrated by all Rwandans and not just by women.
In his opening remarks, President Kagame warned leaders against complacency: “We cannot afford to lose our sense of urgency because of where we come from and where we want to be. We must remember that we are working for citizens of Rwanda, not for our personal interest. We need to do more and we need to do it fast.”
The first day of the retreat ended with a presentation of a government report card in which citizens evaluate government efforts in key sectors including education, governance and infrastructure. On the occasion of Women’s Day, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Oda Gazingizwa shared Rwanda’s progress in the field of gender equality including Rwanda’s achievement of MDG goal 3 and 4, respectively gender parity and reducing maternal and child mortality.