The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has chosen Rwanda to host the Advancing Women in Leadership Forum for Africa and Asia 2017, to be held in Kigali in August.

Rwanda has been a world leader in having the highest number of women in parliament. In addition, there has been increased political will to promote the participation of women sports.

Through this support the National Olympic Committee (NOC) has registered a number of successes since 2012 namely: 30% of women representation in the NOC executive committee, increased numbers of women coaches, female international referees, Confederation of African Football (CAF) women instructors, and increased female participation in Olympic Games.

As a result of this, in 2016, the IOC Women and Sports Trophy for Africa was awarded to a Rwandan woman Félicité Rwemalika, the current first Vice President of RNOSC as well as the head of women football in Rwanda.

Over the last 20 years, the IOC have been advocating for the participation of women at all levels. This year’s conference is expected to provide unique opportunities for sports federations to share best practices and effective strategies for increasing the number of women in leadership roles.