The Graça Machel Trust is excited to welcome Hon. Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, as the newest member of their esteemed Expert Leaders Group (ELG) in Financial Inclusion. This appointment marks another milestone in her illustrious career, highlighted by significant achievements in the financial sector and a commitment to promoting gender-inclusive policies. The Trust’s Founder, Mrs Graça Machel, personally welcomed Hon. Hakuziyaremye on 19 July 2023 during a private meeting in Rwanda.
Hon. Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye and Mrs Graça Machel during a private meeting in Rwanda
Hon. Hakuziyaremye has achieved notable accomplishments in her journey to becoming Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda. Prior to this role, she served as Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry and gained expertise in the financial sector during her time at ING Bank in London.
Mrs Machel commended Rwanda’s commitment to gender inclusivity in the financial sector. Hon. Hakuziyaremye has been tasked with sharing Rwanda’s experience with gender-inclusive policies and the Rwanda Roadmap 2027, aimed at narrowing the gender gap in access to finance. This dedication to fostering gender equality in the financial services sector is commendable and inspires the region.
Under her guidance and Rwanda’s transformative efforts, the financial services sector has witnessed significant progress in gender representation. Mrs Machel congratulated Rwanda on its remarkable strides, especially in the leadership roles held by women. In just seven years, the number of women leading financial services institutions in Rwanda has risen from one to five out of fifteen banks by 2023. This paradigm shift reflects Rwanda’s commitment to promoting diversity and empowerment in the financial industry. Hon. Hakuziyaremye’s appointment to the Graça Machel Trust’s Expert Leaders Group in Financial Inclusion is a testament to her remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to the financial sector.
The Expert Leaders Group is a group of African women leaders in the finance sector working to promote women’s participation in the digital economy. It was convened by the Graça Machel Trust in 2021 and is led by Mrs. Graça Machel. The group includes female Deputy Governors of Central Banks, financial regulators, and senior financial sector leaders.
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.