Rwanda has made tremendous progress in ensuring gender equality, and women’s empowerment over the past three decades, in what has been a challenging journey for a country whose traditions were once built on a patriarchal system that denied women many opportunities. For centuries, women and girls, as a result of cultural beliefs and norms, were relegated to second-class citizen status, playing a subordinate role to men who dominated nearly all sections of life. Today, Rwanda is a global leader in gender equality, standing out among countries with policies and laws that promote women’s empowerment. One person who has played a key role in this journey is Rose Rwabuhihi, the former Chief Gender Monitor at the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO). Her involvement in driving this change has not been an easy feat, considering the many difficulties the country had to overcome in rebuilding itself after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Many who see the significant progress Rwanda has made in terms of granting women full rights, including property ownership, education, and political participation, might not understand that everything began from scratch. Rwabuhihi is among the first group of women involved in gender equality and women’s empowerment efforts as the current government began its rebuilding efforts. She was present when the Beijing Declaration was signed. Born in Kigali, at the current University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), Rwabuhihi left the country as a young girl in the early 1960s, when many Rwandans were forced into exile due to ethnic violence. She returned in 1995 after the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) liberated the country. “When we left the country, we went through several neighbouring countries because, as you know, people were not stable – moving from one country to another. So, I lived and studied in several countries,” she recalls. “I was lucky to get a scholarship to study Journalism and Communication. It was a miracle because at that time, a refugee getting a scholarship to study in Western countries was just a dream,” Rwabuhihi narrates. Her journey took her from Rwanda to DR Congo, then Zaire, before heading to Europe, and later settling in the U.S. She eventually returned to Rwanda. Journalist turned gender advocate She studied Journalism and Communication, not because it was her first choice, but because she couldn’t let the opportunity pass her by. Later, journalism helped shape her conviction and decision to advocate for human rights, especially for women and girls. ALSO READ: Chief gender monitor weighs in on state of women’s right to equality post genocide When she was young, Rwabuhihi pursued science subjects in secondary school and dreamed of becoming a researcher. However, due to circumstances, her parents could not afford it, and she had to do what she could at the time. “When I got the scholarship to go abroad, I saw it as an opportunity, not because I dreamed of becoming a journalist, but because I really wanted an education and to be empowered. But soon, I fell in love with journalism,” she explains. “I liked it not only because you get to meet and report on people and events, but also because you are deeply involved in what is happening around you. It opens your eyes, mind, and spirit,” she adds. Journalism was a good way for her to understand the world, explore what she didn’t know, and connect with many people, including ordinary individuals in grassroots communities. “It was an eye-opener,” she says, observing how girls and women were often abused and denied opportunities. “I saw the pain of women who were the backbone of families but were not recognized for it. I saw how girls were abused and had no opportunities,” she says, noting that the concept of ‘gender equality’ was foreign to her at the time. She continues, “I couldn’t figure out what I would do, but I felt something inside me that pushed me to contribute to ensuring that girls could go to school, that women could receive medical support without suffering.” As a result, when she had the opportunity to study and start a career, her goal was to contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment – a calling she embraced passionately. “In the 1980s, the situation for women was dire in many countries, not just in Africa. Having grown up in a refugee environment, I experienced many things that made me believe something could be done to lift up women and girls and empower them to contribute to development,” Rwabuhihi explains. ALSO READ: Rwanda reaffirms commitment to implement Beijing declaration At the time, discussions about women and girls’ rights and empowerment were often brushed aside, and some people believed women were merely making claims. “There were a lot of conflicts in many African countries, and seeing what women experienced in refugee camps and communities made me want to change the situation,” she adds. She also observed that women had solutions to many challenges faced by their families and countries but were not given the opportunity. “They were not given the means, adequate education, or platforms to contribute. They knew better than anyone on some subjects,” Rwabuhihi explains. From journalism to environmental advocacy After leaving journalism, Rwabuhihi became involved in environmental issues. At the time, discussions about the environment and the role of women in protecting and restoring it were gaining traction. “It was clear that if women weren’t involved in environmental conservation, it wouldn’t make a difference, because they were the ones using more resources from it,” she says. This experience reinforced her belief that women could make a significant difference when fully empowered and involved. “When I saw families suffering and how women and girls were being held back, I knew that something had to be done,” she says. Her first shock came when she covered a court case in a European country where a woman had been gang-raped. In court, the woman’s presence in a bar was questioned, as if it justified the crime. “The court asked, ‘but why were you in that bar at the time?’” she recalls, angered by the implication that the victim’s behaviour caused the assault. “Being in a bar is a personal right, but being gang-raped is not.” This experience, along with other incidents she witnessed in Africa, made her more determined to expose the injustices women faced. Raising awareness through radio At the time, radio was the most effective way to raise awareness, especially in rural areas. Rwabuhihi ran a program called “Radio and Development,” using it as a tool to reach remote communities and educate them about their rights. “We were using radio as a development tool to inform people about their rights,” she says. The program targeted men and boys as well, to raise awareness about gender equality and their responsibilities. Marginalisation of women Through her work, Rwabuhihi saw first-hand how women and girls, married or not, faced marginalisation and discrimination, along with persons with disabilities and vulnerable refugees. Later, she joined the United Nations, which gave her a platform to influence global decision-making and exposed her to the widespread issues of gender inequality around the world. Returning to Rwanda in 1995 after the Genocide, Rwabuhihi became part of the institutional rebuilding process, working with the Ministry of Gender and Family. After a stint in Rwanda, she rejoined the UN, where she worked for more than 15 years before returning to Rwanda in 2013 to join the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) as the Chief Gender Monitor. Progress in Rwanda Rwabuhihi has witnessed Rwanda's remarkable progress over the past three decades. Though there is still much to be done, she acknowledges the tremendous change for Rwandan women. “Although we still have a lot to do, I can say without a doubt that things have changed. For instance, when I arrived in 1995, the third assessment that was done randomly was chilling,” she says. “At that time, women couldn’t open bank accounts. It was shocking, especially for women like me, who had travelled to other countries and found that women had the right to own property.” She recalls a frustrating experience in 1996 when a women’s organisation tried to open a bank account for some women, only to be told it was impossible. “Many women who lost their husbands in the Genocide could not inherit property or land, which they had contributed to. This was a very difficult time for women,” Rwabuhihi recalls. Rwanda's progress: A personal reflection Looking back at Rwanda's progress, Rwabuhihi reflects on the advancements that women and girls have achieved, many of which might seem “simple” to some, but were once unimaginable. For instance, walking into a bank to open an account without anyone questioning your gender was once a significant challenge. “Nobody will tell you this is not your land or house because you are a woman. They will ask for documents to prove it’s yours without considering your gender,” she says. These, according to her, are some of the big wins. Traditionally in Rwanda, women were not allowed to inherit land or own property, and when it came to education, the boy child was often prioritised, even if the family had sufficient resources. Rwabuhihi highlights that changing these practices and mindset, which had negative impacts on the country’s socioeconomic development, took considerable effort. Education and gender equality In terms of education, Rwanda has made significant strides. From a time when girls were not given priority in accessing education, the country is now closing the gender gap. Rwabuhihi explains that Rwanda has not only improved enrolment rates but has also focused on ensuring that women and girls complete their education, just as men do. “For a long time, girls would be enrolled in primary school, but most could not complete primary education, preventing them from joining secondary school or university,” Rwabuhihi says. ALSO READ: Beijing at 20: We must stay the course She emphasises that true empowerment comes from offering someone a complete education, which guarantees employability and financial independence. In the past, girls were often steered toward ‘soft’ skills like tailoring and secretarial studies, while prestigious courses were reserved for boys. Today, girls and boys have equal opportunities in all subjects. While gaps remain in fields like science, technology, and mechanical work, where males still outnumber females, the country has made remarkable progress. Women and girls now have the freedom to choose any course without limitations based on gender – a huge achievement for a country where women once had few rights. Mindset change still work in progress Although Rwanda has made significant strides in gender equality, Rwabuhihi argues that the biggest challenge now is changing mindset. While laws and the constitution provide equal rights for men and women, certain patriarchal behaviours and beliefs persist. “The most important change we need today is a mindset shift,” she says. “You can change laws and policies, but when it comes to mindset and beliefs, it can take time.” Despite this, the country’s laws and constitution have been crucial in creating a more inclusive society. Rwabuhihi attributes the gains Rwanda has made to the vision of the current government, the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi), which has focused on equality, justice, and inclusion. As a former Chief Gender Monitor, Rwabuhihi recalls how Rwanda’s commitment to gender equality predated the Beijing Declaration of 1995, which focused on global gender equality. The values of equality, justice, and inclusion were already part of the RPF's ideology, which made implementing the Beijing declaration easier for Rwanda. By the time the Beijing Declaration was adopted, Rwanda had already committed to gender equality, and there was no debate over its provisions. The country quickly integrated the principles of the declaration into its policies and institutions, establishing a special office to follow up on its implementation. Rwanda had a vision Rwabuhihi points to other areas where Rwanda has made impressive progress. In the financial sector, women now enjoy the same rights as men, with women leading many financial institutions. For instance, Soraya Hakuziyaremye’s appointment as Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) marks a significant achievement for women in leadership roles within the financial sector. In the health sector, maternal mortality, once a serious issue, has drastically reduced. Women no longer face the risk of dying during childbirth or losing their children due to inadequate health services, thanks to improved healthcare accessibility. While these advances might be taken for granted by some, Rwabuhihi stresses that before the current government, such rights were non-existent. Women were dying in the 90s due to lack of healthcare, she says, noting that today, women and girls in Rwanda enjoy rights that were unimaginable just three decades ago. Traditional beliefs persist Despite the progress, traditional beliefs about women’s roles continue to persist. Rwabuhihi highlights that some people still believe women should only pursue certain careers or that girls should marry at a certain age, often without regard for their career aspirations. In business, women still face challenges, such as a lack of trust when trying to use family property as collateral for loans. Despite the fact that women tend to repay loans better, societal biases persist. However, Rwabuhihi is hopeful that as more women take leadership roles, trust in their abilities will grow. Moreover, societal pressure for girls to marry early often leads them to abandon their career goals, with some girls even avoiding challenging courses like medicine because they are expected to marry. “We need to stop pressuring girls to marry at the expense of their careers,” Rwabuhihi insists. Improving media representation As Rwanda continues to evolve, Rwabuhihi hopes for a future where gender is no longer a consideration in determining the potential of an individual. She envisions a country where people are judged based on their abilities and knowledge, rather than their gender. A major concern for Rwabuhihi today is how women and girls are portrayed in the media, especially on social media platforms. She wishes to see more content celebrating the achievements and contributions of young women, rather than focusing on superficial aspects like beauty, fashion, or dance. “There is nothing wrong with dancing or showing off one’s beauty, but that should not define a person’s contribution to society,” she says. Rwabuhihi believes that by showcasing the important work women are doing, society can help shift the focus toward their capabilities and achievements. Rwabuhihi's vision for Rwanda is one where gender no longer limits a person’s potential. She dreams of a Rwanda where all children, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities to succeed. As the country continues to progress, she hopes to see a shift in mindset, especially when it comes to how women and girls are perceived, both in society and in the media.
