Rwandan history and culture have traditionally recognized women’s rights and their capacity to influence society, even within a patriarchal framework. This respect wasn’t a gift from men but a testament to the strength and agency Rwandan women have always possessed.

However, new obstacles to women’s agency are emerging with the rise of digital technologies and modern expressions of harmful masculinity. Where women once held influence despite patriarchal systems, today’s digital landscape amplifies restrictive and harmful norms that actively undermine women’s rights.

Historical examples of women’s agency in Rwanda

Princess Nyirarumaga, Foster Queen during King Ruganzu II Ndoli’s reign (circa 1510), highlighted women’s influence by creating Rwanda’s first poetry forum, "Inteko y&039;abasizi," preserving Rwanda's oral traditions that were at risk of being forgotten. As Rwanda's first renowned poet, she composed Rwanda’s inaugural poem, honoring her mother, Queen Nyamususa.

Princess Nyirarucyaba, daughter of King Gihanga, also played a pivotal role in Rwanda’s development. After fleeing to the forest in 1526, she discovered and domesticated cattle, bringing milk to her ailing father. This marked the first step in domesticating cattle in Rwanda – a milestone that transformed Rwanda's social and economic development.

These stories show how Rwandan women shaped their communities despite patriarchal systems, which, while male-dominated, lacked the intense harmful masculinity evident in the digital landscape today.

Modern forms of harmful masculinity in the Digital Age

Digital communication, especially social media, has fueled the spread of harmful masculine norms that limit women’s agency: