Rwanda has registered a 250% increase (from 14 to 49 out of 80 MPs) over the last two decades in the number of female MPs as a proportion of total MPs. This is the largest improvement recorded by any Commonwealth country over the period. On average, 20% of MPs in the Commonwealth countries are women. Data for 2018 shows the proportion of women parliamentarians is higher than the Commonwealth average for 22 countries.

Women account for roughly half the world’s population yet they occupy less than a quarter of political seats. Women make up 62 percent of Rwanda’s national legislature, far more, proportionally, than any other country. Rwanda is an outlier, with more women in power, proportionally, than any other country (followed by Cuba and Bolivia). But political parity—whether through appointments or elections—remains an elusive goal in many countries.