Thousands of women and girls took to the streets of Kigali on Sunday to mark International Women's Day, highlighting Rwanda's efforts to advance gender equality and promote the theme of this year's celebrations: "Give to Gain," which calls for greater investment in women's potential.

The walk and run event was joined by Rwanda's first lady, Jeannette Kagame, as participants celebrated the country's progress in elevating women into leadership positions while reflecting on the continued struggle for equality.

Rwanda has become a global outlier in women's political representation. Women hold more than 60 percent of seats in the national parliament, the highest proportion in the world, a milestone advocates say has helped shape policies addressing issues ranging from inheritance rights to protections against gender-based violence.

"Our government supports women," said Rosine Bazongere, a women's rights activist who joined the event. "It's really amazing when you see how women in Rwanda are in everything, in the government, are leaders, they are the ones like up up there."

Participants said the day also served as recognition of how far the country has come since the early years of rebuilding after conflict, when women began to take on greater roles in public life.

"Where we are today is a very big thing," said Catherine Agaba, another activist. "The government has given women a platform. What is needed now is for women to feel confident that they can do it."

Experts say the high representation of women in parliament has had a tangible impact on legislation. According to Yvonne Cyiza, a legal expert on gender equality, reforms in family and inheritance laws have strengthened women's rights and improved protections against abuse.

"The increase of women's participation in leadership has significantly impacted the development of gender-responsive laws," Cyiza said. 

Organizations such as Haguruka, which has spent more than three decades providing legal and psychosocial support to survivors of gender-based violence, say the theme "Give to Gain" reflects the idea that investing in women yields broad social and economic benefits.

Cyiza noted that women's presence in decision-making roles has helped ensure that policies reflect lived realities.

"Women being on the decision-making table has brought a lived reality," she said. "So the policies made, laws made, they reflect what's really on the ground, and they are more effective and implementable."

Despite the progress, advocates say challenges remain. Gender-based violence and economic inequality continue to affect many women, particularly in rural communities.

Still, supporters say Rwanda's experience offers a powerful example of how expanding women's participation in leadership can reshape national development and demonstrate the impact of investing in women's potential.

Edited by CGTN Africa reporter Marion Gachuhi