Article published on Global Sisters Report

The Women Deliver 2023 Conference closed on July 20 after four days of intense work that made progress on several critical issues toward a more gender-equal world.

More than 6,000 feminist activists — including religious sisters, world leaders, grassroots advocates, the private sector, youths and government officials — attended the gathering at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kigali, the bustling capital city of Rwanda. More than 200,000 people followed the events online. 

The conference, one of the largest gatherings dedicated to promoting gender equality, focused on gender equality, health, and the rights and well-being of girls and women. The theme was Spaces, Solidarity, and Solutions.

Issues on the agenda included women's rights on the African continent and worldwide, sexual and gender-based violence prevention, sexual and reproductive health and rights, climate change, technological innovation, and youth advancement programs.

During a side event on July 18, organized by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for Women in Faith Leadership Fellowship, religious sisters agreed that due to the new connections, ideas, inspiration, and solutions they had gained from the conference, they would commit to fighting to end female genital mutilation and early marriages. They also committed to promote the education of girls, women's empowerment, and entrepreneurship. 

"The sisters have resolved to work alongside organizations that promote similar causes as they do at the grassroots level," said Sr. Jane Wakahiu, associate vice president of program operations and head of the Catholic Sisters Initiative at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. "The sisters also resolved to work towards mentoring young women and girls and advocate on their behalf on pertinent issues that impact women, including breaking the barriers that impede their development."