A newly designed curriculum has been created to promote positive masculinity and positive parenting in the country.

The programme, designed by Interpeace, a non-profit organisation that works to build lasting peace and prevent violence in Rwanda, in collaboration with the Rwanda Men's Resource Centre (RWAMREC), adopts a gender-transformative approach, encouraging participants to critically reflect on negative gender norms and stereotypes, challenging and adopting more equitable behaviours within families and communities.

"The curriculum represents a significant step towards promoting gender equality, one that empowers women but also takes men along. By challenging harmful gender norms and stereotypes, fostering healthier and more harmonious relationships within families and communities," the Country Representative of Interpeace, Frank Kayitare, explained.

ALSO READ: Interpeace’s genocide trauma-healing initiatives promote social cohesion, reconciliation

Ilaria Buscaglia, the Head of Programmes at RWAMREC, presented the curriculum&039;s details, aim, and approach, stating, "Through this curriculum, we aim to create transformative change, enabling men and boys to challenge rigid and negative notions of masculinity, by adopting positive, nurturing, empathic, equitable, and caring attitudes."

ALSO READ: Gender transformation should be Rwanda’s goal to achieve equality – RWAMREC

The curriculum was presented during an event hosted at the Sainte Famille Hotel, Kigali, as an occasion to gather feedback and discuss ways it could be improved. The event was also aimed to align the curriculum with national policies and strategies while ensuring synergy with existing peacebuilding programmes and interventions.

It specifically targets couples in Rwandan communities, prisoners to be released, older adolescents, and youth, focusing on preventing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), poor parenting practices, and interfamily communication issues.

Divided into four modules, the curriculum addresses different target groups. The first module promotes equitable gender relationships within couples and aims to prevent domestic violence.

The second module focuses on gender-equitable parenting and reducing harsh punishment towards children. The third module targets adult male inmates in correctional facilities, aiming to promote positive masculinity, prevent SGBV upon reintegration, and support the reintegration process.

The fourth and final module targets youth between the ages of 12 and 24 in schools, communities, and rehabilitation centres, aiming to promote positive masculinity, and healthy relationships, and prevent SGBV.

Each module is designed for group educational sessions with approximately 24 participants. Facilitators, ideally two community-based volunteers of similar age to the trainees (one male and one female), lead the sessions.

The curriculum encourages weekly sessions for six consecutive weeks. Through interactive sessions, including role plays, group work, reflection exercises, and facilitated discussions, participants embark on a learning journey, gaining the skills needed to identify and address gender and power dynamics in their own lives.

The curriculum is part of the "Reinforcing Community Capacity for Social Cohesion and Reconciliation through Societal Trauma Healing in Rwanda" program, a four-year initiative, funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and implemented in five districts. It aims to promote social cohesion and sustainable peace, providing mental health services, advancing social cohesion, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.

Aline Umutoni, the Director General of Family Promotion and Child Protection at the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, provided remarks affirming the importance of the curriculum to the country&039;s vision.

"We recognise the value of this curriculum, and by integrating these principles into existing programmes, we can create lasting change and contribute to the overall well-being of Rwandan families," she noted.

The event provided an opportunity for relevant stakeholders, various government bodies, and civil society organisations to provide final feedback on the curriculum, ensuring it aligns with national policies, strategies, and existing peacebuilding programmes.