Espérance Nyirasafari

Espérance Nyirasafari is a lawyer and politician in Rwanda, who serves as one of two Vice Presidents of the Senate of Rwanda, effective 17 October 2019.^[1] She was appointed to the Senate by the President of Rwanda, on 22 September 2019.^[2]

Espérance Nyirasafari
Born	Rwanda
Nationality	Rwandan
Citizenship	Rwanda
Occupation(s)	Lawyer, politician
Years active	2016 — present
Known for	Politics, Public service
Title	Cabinet Minister of Sports and Culture in the Cabinet of Rwanda

Before that, she served as the cabinet minister at the Ministry of Sports and Culture, from 18 October 2018,^[3] until 22 September 2019.^[2] Prior to that, from 5 October 2016 until 18 October 2018, she was the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion] (Migeprof).^[4]

Background and education

Espérance was born in Rwanda to Rwandan parents; both of whom were killed in the 1994 Rwanda Genocide, when she was still young.^[5]

Career

In 2009, she served as the permanent secretary in the Rwanda ministry of justice.^[5] At the time of her ministerial appointment, on 5 October 2016, she is reported to have been a member of the Rwandan Parliament.^[6] She replaced Diane Gashumba as minister at Migeprof, who became the Rwanda Minister of Health.^[6] In the cabinet reshuffle of 31 August 2017, Espérance Nyirasafari retained her portfolio at Migeprof.^[7] As cabinet minister, she advocates mutual respect among married couples to promote family harmony.^[8]

In a cabinet reshuffle on 18 October 2018, Espérance Nyirasafari was appointed Cabinet Minister of Sports and Culture.^[9] She joined the reshuffled cabinet of President Paul Kagame who reduced the members of cabinet from 31 to 26. The cabinet is 50% women, making Rwanda, with Ethiopia, the only two African countries with gender equality in their governments.^[10]

Personal

Espérance Nyirasafari is a married mother.^[5]

See also

• Parliament of Rwanda

References

1. Government of Rwanda (17 October 2019). "President Kagame officiates senators swearing-in ceremony". Kigali: Government of Rwanda. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
2. Jerry Muhamudu (22 September 2019). "Sports Minister Nyirasafari Appointed To The Senate". Taarifa Rwanda. Kigali.
3. Collins Mwai (19 October 2018). "Kagame reshuffles Cabinet, women take up more slots". New Times (Rwanda). Kigali. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
4. GOR (5 October 2016). "Communique: President Kagame reshuffles the Cabinet, appoints new governors". Kigali: Government of Rwanda (GOR). Retrieved 1 September 2017.
5. Mugoya, Grace (5 July 2009). "The secret life of... Esperance Nyirasafari". New Times (Rwanda). Kigali. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
6. Kagire, Edmund (5 October 2016). "Kagame drops his longest serving minister in cabinet shake up". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
7. Kimenyi, Felly (31 August 2017). "Rwanda gets new Cabinet, who is in?". New Times (Rwanda). Kigali. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
8. Rwamapera, Kelly (4 April 2017). "Gender minister calls for mutual respect among couples". The New Times (Rwanda). Kigali. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
9. Jean de la Croix Tabaro (18 October 2018). "Rwanda Gets New 50-50 Gender Cabinet, Fewer Ministers". Kigali: KTPress. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
10. "Cabinet reshuffle: How social media reacted". 19 October 2018.

External links

• Website of the Rwanda Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion Archived 2019-03-31 at the Wayback Machine