Womens’ majority participation in Rwanda’s legislature and governing institutions over the past two decades has had a powerful effect in the country’s health and social policy and programs and soon, that impact will be visible globally through a new university that is turning the model of medical education upside down.

The university, and globally impressive results in women’s health and child and maternal mortality, grow from the belief that when women’s status improves, the whole community benefits. This is not unique to Rwanda, of course – think of Grameen’s choice to work with women, and women’s self-help groups all over Africa, India and South Asia.