Rose Mukantabana

Rose Mukantabana (born 31 August 1961) is a lawyer and women's rights activist. She is the former President of the Chamber of Deputies of Rwanda and was the first woman elected to the post. She was elected to serve as chair of the African Parliamentary Union from 2013-2015.

Rose Mukantabana graduated from high school and began working in the civil service in 1980, first in the Rwanda Society for Insurance and later in the Ministry of Public Services. In 1992, she entered the National University of Rwanda and graduated with a law degree in 1996. That year, she began working for Haguruka Association, an NGO which focuses on human rights and specifically rights of women and children. Spending nine years at the organization, she began as a Legal Assistant and worked up to Coordinator of Legal Affairs. After serving as National Executive Secretary, Mukantabana returned to school. Studying in Belgium, she earned a post-graduate "specialized diploma in human rights" from Université Saint-Louis Bruxelles.

In 2002, she was serving as vice president of Pro-Femmes, a pacifist umbrella organization which coordinated the efforts of 43 NGOs for women's development and rights. In 2005, she began working as the National Coordinator of the Women’s Legal Rights Initiative sponsored by USAID and in 2007, moved to ActionAid International Rwanda, first serving as Women's Rights Coordinator and later as the Program Development Manager. In 2008, she was elected as a Member of Parliament representing the Kigali City constituency. On 6 October, 2008, she was elected by her fellow MPs to serve as President of the Chamber of Deputies of Rwanda until 2013 by a margin of 70 for and 10 against. Her election made her the first female to head the parliamentary body. In 2012, she was elected to serve as the chair of the African Parliamentary Union (APU) through 2015.

Quotes

• She put on hold education because the only high learning institution was the National University of Rwanda which was not open to everyone on merit.
  • "Women’s Advocate, Mukantabana said" (ktpress.rw, June 06, 2021)

• I prepared the case file for my mother and this was my first attempt to advocate for women.
  • "Women’s Advocate, Mukantabana said" (ktpress.rw, June 06, 2021)

• President Paul Kagame effectively executed his duties in the past seven year and stated that he deserves to be re-elected.
  • The Speaker of Parliament, Rose Mukantabana, has said that Newtimes.com (Thursday, August 05, 2010)

• “As members of parliament we should be proud that the man Rwandans put in power has delivered which has ensured development of our country,
  • Rose said Newtimes (5 august 2010)

• My assessment indicates that we performed to the expectation and we should all be happy for our success. I have no doubt our performance will continue to improve.
  • ROSE SAID Newimes (2010 august)

• She called for tolerance as being important in the promotion of democracy, when speaking at the Third World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in New York.
  • Speaker calls for political tolerance Newstimes (25 September 2025 )

• In opening remarks at the Forum for Rwanda Women Parliamentarians (FRWP) in Kigali, she said that economically empowering women can play a vital role in checking violence against women.
  • Empower women to counter Gender Violence - Speaker Newstimes ( 25 September 2025)

• She urged residents of Huye district to be more active in community work, saying that the country’s development depends on their efforts.
  • She urged residents of Huye district to be more active in community work, saying that the country’s development depends on their efforts. The New Times newstimes ( 25 September 2025)
• "Do you study to become a village chief, a burgomaster or lawmaker?"
  • School Girl Advocates For Mother Against Abusive Father, Becomes Parliamentary Speaker, Women’s Advocate KT Press ( June 2021 )
• "I prepared the case file for my mother and this was my first attempt to advocate for women."
  • School Girl Advocates For Mother Against Abusive Father, Becomes Parliamentary Speaker, Women’s Advocate KT Press ( June 2021 )
• The majority of women were victims of the situation and stayed at home."
  • Women’s participation in the Rwandan genocide: mothers or monsters?I nternational review (March 2010 )
• "Tolerance is an appropriate way to promote democracy." As Speaker, she emphasized the importance of tolerance in fostering democratic values.
  • Rwanda: Speaker Calls for Political Tolerance AllAfrica (19 November 2009 )
• "Do you study to become a village chief, a burgomaster or lawmaker?"
  • School Girl Advocates For Mother Against Abusive Father, Becomes Parliamentary Speaker, Women’s Advocate KT Press ( June 2021 )
• The suggestion is to clearly define the rights and responsibilities of both the person receiving the surrogacy service and the one providing it. These should be clarified further than they currently are in the bill .
  • https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/26599/news/health/ngos-demand-safeguards-for-surrogate-mothers-in-new-health-bill ( The New Times , May 21, 2025 )
• With the help of parliaments in the region, it will put pressure on governments to abide by and implement agreements .
  • https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/14099/National/speaker-optimistic-on-regional-parliamentary-forum ( The New Times , December 02, 2008)
• It is a challenge for women to access jobs, particularly to access high level positions in the private sector.
  • https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/85508/National/mukantabana-speaks-out-on-maternity-leave ( The New Times , December 24, 2012)
• If anyone did not do their given duties, all the others will be affected .
  • https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/61339/National/lawmakers-house-staff-commit-to-better-delivery ( The New Times , September 28, 2011)
• The objective of these police is to develop the country but most importantly is to ensure that the girl child is part and parcel of this process. Girls should have their full rights to education and everything else, and be part of the decision making process .
  • https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/58209/National/speaker-eu-lawmakers-discuss-girls-education ( The new Times , July 24, 2011)
• during the consultative session, MPs and the ministers concluded that the biggest challenge was the role played dissidents in influencing international opinion against Rwanda.
  • https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/84700/National/parliament-to-investigate-drc-allegations ( The New times , December 08, 2012)