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'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: Digital harassment: UN Women reports that 85% of women globally face online harassment. In Rwanda, UNFPA data shows 1 in 3 women experience online abuse, often rooted in beliefs that deny women’s autonomy. Digital gender gap: Rwanda’s 2022 census reveals 71.4% of men aged 21+ own mobile phones, compared to 55.6% of women. This disparity limits women’s access to information and financial resources and deprives women of their agency. Control over technology: In rural areas, some women send business payments to their husbands’ phones out of fear of violence, highlighting how digital access can be weaponized to reinforce male control. Beyond device ownership, internet connectivity and the capabilities of the devices themselves also impact digital access for women. Even when women own phones, limited functionality or poor connectivity can often restrict meaningful participation. The Gendered Nature of Technology The pervasive influence of harmful masculine norms underscores the urgent need to examine technology through a gender lens. While technology has undeniably expanded women’s access to information and opportunities, it has also become a double-edged sword, enabling online harassment and abuse. This duality highlights the complex, often contradictory relationship between technology and women’s empowerment. Historically, technology has been shaped by male-dominated perspectives, resulting in designs and innovations that frequently overlook women’s unique experiences and needs. This bias is further entrenched by the stark underrepresentation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, both in education and the workforce. Societal stereotypes, structural barriers, and systemic biases continue to deter women from pursuing careers in technology, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion. Moreover, technology often reinforces gender stereotypes through biased algorithms, gendered product designs, and skewed media representations. In Rwanda, technology has amplified broader gender inequalities, entrenching male dominance while marginalizing women’s contributions. Women face significant barriers to accessing and utilizing technology, exacerbating the digital gender gap and limiting their agency. These challenges demand urgent action to ensure technology becomes a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion. Moving Forward: A Blueprint for Gender Equality in the Digital Age As we mark International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment, it is imperative to reclaim and protect women’s agency in the digital age. Achieving this requires a multifaceted approach: Digital literacy programs tailored for women and girls to bridge the access gap. Stronger safeguards on digital platforms, with clear mechanisms to report and penalize online abuse. Media literacy education in schools to empower young people to critically evaluate gendered content. Subsidized and tailored digital products to provide affirmative action for disadvantaged women. Promoting gender diversity in STEM fields and developing gender-inclusive technologies. Raising awareness about the impact of gender biases in tech development and usage. Crucially, progress hinges on engaging boys and men as allies in the fight for gender equality. After two decades of working in the gender equality space, I have observed that gender equality interventions often focus on women and girls while neglecting to engage men and boys as part of the solution. For example, the 2019-2020 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey reports that 5% of girls aged 15-19 have begun childbearing. While many projects train these teen mothers and provide financial support, the boys and men involved are often overlooked. Beyond engaging boys and men, true equality also requires men to reflect on and voluntarily relinquish the invisible privileges they hold, as gender expert Peggy McIntosh has noted. This shift is not a loss but a gain—paving the way for healthier families, reduced conflict, and shared prosperity. A vision for the future To truly advance women’s agency in Rwanda, we must adopt an inclusive and adaptive approach—one that empowers women, engages men as partners, and responds to emerging digital realities. By honouring the legacy of historical female leaders and addressing contemporary challenges, Rwanda can build a society where everyone thrives. The path to equality is not just about closing gaps but about creating a future where technology serves as a force for collective progress. Let us seize this moment to ensure that innovation leaves no one behind.
