The Republic of Maldives has nominated Virginia Gamba, former UN under-secretary-general, for the position, according to a joint letter signed by UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Annalena Baerbock and Michael Waltz, president of the UN Security Council for March.
According to her curriculum vitae, Gamba is an Argentine scholar, practitioner and recognized authority on war and peace studies with over 40 years relevant experience on all themes related to peace and security, including crisis management.
At the United Nations, she served as under-secretary-general in two dockets: Children and Armed Conflict (2017-2025), and the Prevention of Genocide (2024-2025).
The four other candidates are former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, nominated by Chile, Brazil and Mexico; Rafael Grossi, the current director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, nominated by Argentina; Macky Sall, former president of Senegal, nominated by Burundi; and Rebeca Grynspan, economist and former vice president of Costa Rica, nominated by Costa Rica.
The UNGA is scheduled to conduct interactive dialogues with the candidates in the week of April 20.
Virginia Gamba served as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
New Faces New Voices Rwanda is a non-profit organization that advances women’s economic participation through financial inclusion, entrepreneurship development, and leadership strengthening, ensuring women are active contributors to Rwanda’s economic growth.
Since its establishment in Rwanda in 2015, NFNV has worked to expand women’s access to finance, entrepreneurship skills, cooperative structures, and leadership opportunities.
The organization equips women with practical tools to earn income, manage finances, access markets, and participate in local economic decision-making.
Over the past decade, this work has contributed to visible shifts at the community level. Young women who once operated informal or subsistence activities have formalized businesses through cooperatives, entered trades traditionally dominated by men, and strengthened household income through collective enterprise.
Young women with disabilities have also expanded their economic independence through targeted support and improved access to financial services.
The anniversary event in Ruhango highlighted these experiences as examples of how women shape local economic systems when barriers are reduced and opportunities are expanded.
NFNV’s progress has been supported by strong partnerships over the past decade, including collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation and Rugori Investment Network through the Women-led, Women-owned MSME Investment Readiness Program, as well as partnerships with UN Women and other institutions advancing inclusive economic empowerment.
NFNV also established Rugori Investment Network as a sister organization to strengthen access to capital for women entrepreneurs.
Within this ecosystem, New Faces New Voices Rwanda operates as an incubator supporting women-led businesses with training, mentorship, and investment readiness, while Rugori Investment Network serves as the investment partner investing in prepared entrepreneurs.
As guest of honor, Reeta Roy, former CEO and President of the Mastercard Foundation, emphasized the importance of generational leadership: “There is something deeply generational about the work being done. When older women pass their skills and knowledge to younger ones, they ensure continuity and long-term resilience. That is exactly what New Faces New Voices Rwanda is helping to achieve.”
A young program participant also reflected on her experience: “New Faces New Voices helped me believe in myself. Through this journey, I learned that I can lead others and have a clear direction for my life, especially knowing that NFNV is walking alongside me.”
Joy S. Rwamwenge, CEO of New Faces New Voices Rwanda, highlighted the organization’s impact, from supporting 35 cooperatives in its early pilot to over 460 cooperatives creating 11,500 youth in work today.
“With a presence in 28 districts across Rwanda, we are witnessing what happens when preparation meets opportunity for women entrepreneurs,” she said
As NFNV enters its second decade, the organization seeks to focus on strengthening pathways from skills to income, deepening financial inclusion for underserved women, and working with partners to embed inclusive economic practices within cooperatives, financial institutions, and local markets.
With ten years of progress, the organisation emphasizes, the next phase will focus on scale, sustainability, and systems that work for women over the long term.
Reeta Roy, Former President of Mastercard Foundation, with Ivan Ntwali, Mastercard Foundation Country Director for Rwanda. Reeta Roy, former CEO and President of the Mastercard Foundation, toured the exhibitions and interacted with the participants.Joy Ndungutse Board Chair of New Faces, New Voices also graced the event. Joy S. Rwamwenge, CEO of New Faces New Voices Rwanda, highlighted the organization’s impact, growing from 35 pilot cooperatives to over 460, now engaging 11,500 youth in work.Representatives from partner institutions joined the celebration of a decade of women’s economic empowerment.Participants gather in Ruhango as New Faces New Voices Rwanda marks 10 years of advancing women’s economic participation.Participants listen during discussions on strengthening women-led enterprises.Women who benefited from entrepreneurship programs showcased the impact of skills training and mentorship.Leaders and partners reflected on a decade of empowering women economically across Rwanda. The anniversary event highlighted how women are shaping local economies through entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.Young women supported by New Faces New Voices Rwanda shared their experiences during the 10-year anniversary event in Ruhango District.Women entrepreneurs attended the anniversary event celebrating a decade of impact by New Faces New Voices Rwanda.Women were appreciated for their dedication. Young women supported by New Faces New Voices showcased their agricultural products.Other showcased art products. Different products were showcased by the beneficiaries.The organization seeks to focus on strengthening pathways from skills to income, deepening financial inclusion for underserved women
The ceremony was attended by local administrative authorities from Macomia District, community members, teachers, students from this school, security forces, as well as members of the Rwanda Security Force.
On behalf of the Rwanda Security Forces leadership, Lt Col Frank Rwabugande, RSF Head Civil and Military Cooperation, highlighted that the support was provided as part of an effort to help promote education for students and to strengthen the collaboration between the Rwanda Security Force and local communities in Mozambique.
“This school is more than a building; rather a symbol of unity and cooperation that presents the enduring brotherhood and solidarity between the people of Rwanda and Mozambique. It presents shared commitment to peace, security and stability through unity, development and education,” remarked Lt Col Rwabugande.
He underscored that lasting peace goes beyond military operations and therefore requires empowering communities through the rebuilding of infrastructure, such as schools and markets, to secure a better future for all Mozambican people.
Tomás Badae, the Administrator of Macomia District, commended the rehabilitation of the school, noting that in previous years the school had not been in use because it had been damaged by terrorist activities. He therefore expressed appreciation to the Rwanda Security Forces for helping to restore confidence among the population.
He urged teachers, parents and students to take good care of the rehabilitated school.
The ceremony was attended by local administrative authorities from Macomia District, community members, teachers, students from this school, security forces, as well as members of the Rwanda Security Force.The school was handed over on March 9, 2026.The facilities were completed within three months and accommodate 150 pupils.Mozambican officials with representatives of RSF at the official inauguration.
“Only by going to the grassroots and staying close to the people can we understand their real needs, and every positive response from them makes all the effort worthwhile,” said Chen, who runs an agricultural company in Tianjin.
For her, fulfilling duties is not something that can be figured out sitting in a meeting room; what is needed is “walking into the hearts of the people”.
The 58-year-old has been serving as a national political adviser for two terms. A longtime advocate for people’s livelihoods, Chen has made the elderly and the children a major focus of her work over the past year.
During a visit to a nursing home last year, she found that the residents’ daily routines and meals were well taken care of.
Through conversations, she came to realize that what the elderly lacked most was not material support, but companionship. “What they want most is simply someone to sit with them and talk to them.”
The loneliness she witnessed prompted Chen to think about how to improve eldercare services. She began exploring a more integrated model that connects traditional services with social resources to offer companionship and explore AI applications in eldercare.
That same year, around Children’s Day, Chen took part in activities for children with special needs, including those with autism and physical disabilities. She was struck not only by the challenges those children face, but also by the pressures faced by their parents.
In a period of high-quality national development, special-needs children must not be left behind, and they need more attention and support from society, Chen said.
These experiences have reinforced her belief that fulfilling duties requires not just “physical presence”, but “genuine commitment”, truly keeping people’s urgent concerns and needs at heart, she said.
As a national political adviser from the Women’s Federation group and an agribusiness entrepreneur, women’s rights and development in rural areas, as well as rural vitalization, have long been her priorities.
Over the years, Chen has visited regions including the Xizang autonomous region and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and Gansu, Qinghai and Hubei provinces, establishing e-commerce platforms to help local women sell agricultural products, offering them technical training and support to engage in specialty industries such as ethnic handicraft production, and specialized planting and breeding.
With women now accounting for over 65 percent of the rural labor force, their contribution has become irreplaceable to rural vitalization, Chen said. “They are cultivators in the fields, creators of rural industries, and builders of harmonious and beautiful countryside.”
In the context of integrated agricultural, cultural, and tourism development, women are often the backbone running homestays, providing tourism services, and developing local industries. Their resilience, Chen said, makes them a key force in comprehensive rural vitalization.
To ensure sustainable development in rural areas, Chen also helped build service platforms and communication mechanisms between women entrepreneurs and agricultural science and technology experts and policymakers.
She also launched training programs, which helped create jobs for more than 200 women in villages surrounding Tianjin.
“As a CPPCC National Committee member and a woman entrepreneur, I want to convey the values of independence, resilience, and confidence,” Chen said. “When women grow stronger, they can fully demonstrate their capabilities across various sectors and contribute to national development.”
Speaking of this year’s two sessions, Chen said she will focus on using digital technology to empower rural women and improve eldercare services, as well as protecting the rights of women and children.
CPPCC National Committee members act as a bridge, bringing policies to the grassroots, and the voices from the grassroots back to the decision-making table, she said. “This is how we truly fulfill our duty to the country and our responsibility to the people.”
Chen Zhonghong (right) talks with a female farmer at a village in Tianjin.
There’s also the shrinking of civic space as well as increasingly organized pushback on gender equality and the regression of women’s rights, said Sarah Hendriks, UN Women’s director of the Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Support Division, on the global launch of the UN secretary-general’s report, “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls,” ahead of International Women’s Day 2026 and the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which is scheduled for March 9-19.
Hendriks warned that there are women who choose not to report the violence they experience, because they fear that they won’t be believed; there are women who are paid less than their male counterparts in the very same work in places where the law does not actually require equal pay; and there are girls who don’t have birth registration, face heightened risk of child marriage, and face heightened risk of trafficking.
“No country in the world has achieved full legal equality between women and men,” she said.
According to the secretary-general’s report, globally, women have 64 percent of the legal rights of men, as discriminatory legal frameworks continue to prevail; 54 percent of countries lack consent-based legal definitions of rape, while 72 percent allow child marriage in all or some circumstances; and in 44 percent of countries, the law does not mandate equal remuneration for work of equal value, meaning women can still legally be paid less for the same work.
While progress is possible as 87 percent of countries have enacted domestic violence legislation, and more than 40 countries have strengthened constitutional protections for women and girls over the past decade, discriminatory social norms — stigma, victim-blaming, fear, and community pressure — continue to silence survivors and obstruct justice, allowing even the most extreme forms of violence, including femicide, to go unpunished.
Women’s access to justice is also prevented by everyday realities such as cost, time, language, and a deep lack of trust in the very institutions meant to protect them, the report showed.
In a press release, UN Women’s Executive Director Sima Bahous said that “when women and girls are denied justice, the damage goes far beyond any single case. Public trust erodes, institutions lose legitimacy, and the rule of law itself is weakened. A justice system that fails half the population cannot claim to uphold justice at all.”
“Now is the moment to stand up, show up, and speak up for rights, for justice, and for action – so that every woman and girl can live safely, speak freely, and live equally,” Bahous stressed.
According to the release, as backlash against longstanding commitments on gender equality intensifies, violations of the rights of women and girls are accelerating, fueled by a global culture of impunity, spanning from courts to online spaces to conflict.
As technology outpaces regulation, women and girls face growing digital violence in a climate of impunity where perpetrators are rarely held accountable. And in conflicts, rape continues to be used as a weapon of war, with reported cases of sexual violence rising by 87 percent in just two years.
In the release, UN Women calls for urgent and decisive action: end impunity, defend the rule of law, and deliver equality — in law, in practice, and in every sphere of life — for all women and girls.
Sarah Hendriks, director of UN Women’s policy, programme and intergovernmental division, at the launch of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda.
The incident occurred at the Rubaya mining sites, known for the coltan resources, in North Kivu province following “exceptionally heavy rains,” according to a statement issued by the DRC Ministry of Mines.
According to the provisional toll, more than 200 people lost their lives, including around 70 minors.
The Rubaya mining zone has been under the control of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group since 2024, making rescue operations particularly difficult, the statement said.
The ministry noted that the mining zone had previously been reclassified since November as a “red zone,” a designation that formally prohibits mining and mineral trading.
“There was indeed a landslide following heavy rainfall on the mountain known as Kasasa. The earth swallowed many people,” David Kasereka, an artisanal miner and resident of Rubaya, told Xinhua on Tuesday.
The M23 has not yet commented on the incident.
In January, at least 200 people were killed after several shafts collapsed at coltan mining sites in Rubaya. Local media reported that the death toll may have exceeded 400, excluding those still missing.
Coltan, or columbite-tantalite, is the main source of tantalum, a rare metal used in the production of advanced electronic devices. The United Nations estimated that the Rubaya mines alone account for about 15 percent of the global tantalum supply.
Miners load excavated ore at a coltan mining site in the town of Rubaya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on May 7, 2025.
“There was indeed a landslide following heavy rainfall on the mountain known as Kasasa. The earth swallowed many people. We are awaiting the official death toll,” David Kasereka, an artisanal miner and resident of Rubaya, told Xinhua.
The Rubaya mines in North Kivu Province are a crucial global source of coltan and have been controlled by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group since 2024.
The M23 has yet to comment on the tragedy.
In January 2026, at least 200 miners were killed after several shafts collapsed at coltan mining sites in Rubaya. Local media reported that the death toll may have exceeded 400, excluding those still missing.
Coltan, or columbite-tantalite, is the main source of tantalum, a rare metal used in the production of advanced electronic devices. The United Nations estimated that the Rubaya mines alone account for about 15 percent of the global tantalum supply.
Scheduled from March 7 to March 8, 2026, the event will take place at Grotta Resort in Musanze District, offering participants a unique opportunity to relax, connect, and enjoy a variety of health and wellness activities.
This will be the first edition of the event, designed to help attendees unwind, socialize, and gain valuable insights through expert-led discussions on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The sessions will cover topics relevant to women, men, and couples, aiming to promote overall well-being.
Participants will also have the chance to engage in recreational activities such as swimming, beach volleyball, beach soccer, and pickleball. In addition, the resort will provide access to its wellness facilities, including a Jacuzzi, massages, a fire pit, gym, infrared sauna, and specially prepared nutritious meals that highlight Grotta Resort’s signature approach to health.
Families are encouraged to attend, as arrangements have been made for children to enjoy their own activities in a safe and supervised environment, allowing parents to fully participate in the event. Ticket options vary, with a single or double room for one night priced at Rwf 585,000, a premium room at Rwf 825,000, and a family room accommodating up to three people at RwfF 900,000 per night.
Grotta Resort is among the most modern resorts in Musanze District, with 26 fully equipped rooms and facilities that promote relaxation, wellness, and family bonding. Fitnesspoint, a leading fitness center in Kigali, operates three major branches in Kimihurura, Remera, and Gacuriro, offering comprehensive facilities and state-of-the-art equipment.
Scheduled from March 7 to March 8, 2026, the event will take place at Grotta Resort in Musanze District. The event will allow participants to relax, connect, and enjoy a variety of health and wellness activities.Grotta Resort is located in Musanze District.
This institution is a home for children with disabilities under Mustered Seed Communities. The initiative forms part of the ongoing Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts aimed at supporting vulnerable communities and restoring essential facilities.
According to the Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence, the activity was conducted together with University Hospital of the West Indies Tony Thwaites Wing to improve living and learning conditions of the children at the Blessed Assurance. The work involved painting the study hall and installing electric ceiling fans in the dormitories.
This activity mirrors a spirit of cooperation between the RDF and JDF, as well as the shared commitment to community resilience and humanitarian support.
This support gave a better face-lift to the institution and contributed meaningfully to the well-being of the children and staff at the facility.
Speaking during the activity, Col Moses Kayigamba, RDF Engineer Contingent Commander, commended all participants for their dedication and teamwork.
He briefly explained to the audience the background of Umuganda that was adopted as one of Rwanda’s homegrown solutions to foster unity, solidarity and collective responsibility. Col Kayigamba, noted that it is carried out on a mandatory basis every last Saturday of the month.
He noted that bringing this spirit of service to Jamaica further strengthens the bond and shared experiences that benefit communities they serve.
Mr. Dalmas Agan, Manager of the Blessed Assurance Children’s Home, also expressed his sincere appreciation to the RDF and JDF Engineers for their outstanding support.
He commended the teams for their generosity and hard work, noting that the children will now live and study in improved conditions as a result of this heartfelt initiative.
Dalmas described the activity as a true demonstration of compassion and solidarity, which has made a meaningful difference in the lives of the children under their care.
Col Moses Kayigamba, RDF Engineer Contingent Commander, commended all participants for their dedication and teamwork. The work involved painting the study hall.Installing electric ceiling fans in the dormitories was part of the exercise.
She voiced the appreciation during a High-Level Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting held on February 27, 2026, at the Kigali Marriott Hotel.
The minister specifically highlighted BRAC’s commitment to combating issues such as teenage pregnancy and school dropout rates affecting both boys and girls.
Minister Uwimana emphasized the urgency of intensified action on these concerns and urged all stakeholders to collaborate more effectively, aligning their initiatives with Rwanda’s national priorities to achieve measurable and lasting impact.
BRAC, originally the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, is a global development organization founded in 1972 in Bangladesh. It began operations in Rwanda in 2019, concentrating on youth unemployment, gender inequality, and financial inclusion.
These efforts support Rwanda’s long-term development agenda, including Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
BRAC Rwanda operates through three entities; BRAC Microfinance and BRAC NGO, which implements Accelerating Impact for Young Women (AIM ) programme in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and BRAC Ultra Poor graduation Initiative (UPGI) which supports Rwanda to implement out of poverty graduation agenda.
Since 2019, BRAC Rwanda Microfinance has grown to 35 branches covering all 30 districts, serving over 100,000 borrowers, 98% of whom are women. It offers collateral-free group loans, agricultural finance products, savings services, and financial literacy training, primarily targeting women in rural and remote areas.
Through its AIM programme, launched in 2023 in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, BRAC has reached over 30,000 adolescent girls and young women in Rwanda.
The programme provides life skills, entrepreneurship training, employability skills, and access to finance, equipping participants to succeed in the country’s growing economy.
Minister Uwimana expressed deep appreciation to BRAC and its partners, for their vital funding and support.
“This comprehensive approach aligns strongly with our national priorities and aspirations. We extend our appreciation to BRAC and its partners, especially MasterCard Foundation for generously funding these programmes, enabling the success we are celebrating today,” she stated.
“Your partnership exemplifies how strategic collaboration can translate into meaningful opportunities for young people, families, across all the country,” the minister added.
Alex Bekunda, BRAC’s Country Director for Rwanda, reinforced the value of joint efforts.
“We have witnessed young women start and grow businesses, engage in productive work among others and build confidence as leaders within their communities. These are not isolated stories. They are powerful reminders of what is possible when systems work together and when potential is nurtured,” he said.
Bekunda also called for expanding youth programmes to reach an additional 100,000 adolescent girls and young women by 2030.
Anne Mutta, BRAC’s Regional Director, elaborated on the organization’s integrated model, stressing the importance of combining skills development with financial access.
She also stressed the urgent need for collective action to confront the persistent challenges of gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy, issues that continue to disrupt girls’ education, threaten their safety, and constrain their economic prospects.
“Ending poverty in Rwanda will remain incomplete unless we protect girls, keep them in school, and create safe pathways for them to thrive.
“BRAC stands ready not only as a problem solver but also as a long-term partner committed to advancing Rwanda’s development vision through evidence, scale, and systems change to reduce poverty,” Mutta noted.
The event included inspiring testimonies from beneficiaries. Gaudence Muhongerwa, a mother of four from Ruhango District who participated in the AIM Programme, shared her progress.
“Through the AIM Programme, I have gained new skills that have helped me grow my business and empower my family,” she noted.
Marie Rose Uwizeyimana, a para-social worker from Nyamagabe District, also praised BRAC’s grassroots impact and its role in driving sustainable change.
The meeting took place as BRAC Rwanda hosted senior leadership; including the Regional Director, Senior Director of Programs, and AIM Director, from February 23–27.
During the visit, the delegation witnessed firsthand the depth of BRAC’s integrated impact and how the “ONE BRAC” model works seamlessly to transform lives across the country.
In the Southern Province, they observed how AIM is creating pathways of opportunity for young women and communities. They met with provincial and district officials, led by Governor Alice Kayitesi, and engaged directly with frontline staff whose dedication drives the organization’s mission forward. They also interacted with BRAC participants who shared powerful testimonies of transformation and resilience.
The visit culminated in a high-level stakeholder meeting on the 27th, attended by senior government officials, civil society leaders, and development partners, with the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolée Uwimana, serving as Guest of Honor.
Minister Uwimana has praised BRAC’s efforts in empowering young women, tackling youth challenges. The event took place at Kigali Marriott Hotel. Alex Bekunda, BRAC’s Country Director for Rwanda, reinforced the value of joint efforts.BRAC has reached over 30,000 adolescent girls and young women in Rwanda. Upoma Husain, Chief Executive Officer, BRAC Rwanda Microfinance also shared insights into key areas of interventions. Anne Mutta, BRAC’s Regional Director, elaborated on the organization’s integrated model.The event also featured a panel discussion revolving around community empowerment. Marie Rose Uwizeyimana, a para-social worker from Nyamagabe District, also praised BRAC’s grassroots impact. Participants of the event in a group photo. Gaudence Muhongerwa, a mother of four from Ruhango District who participated in the AIM Programme, shared her progress.
