Rwanda has made significant progress as a champion of gender equality, but while celebrating women is important, it is crucial to go beyond the flowers and well wishes and address the real challenges they face, said Fidèle Rutayisire, Executive Director of the Rwanda Men's Resource Centre (RWAMREC). He made these remarks on Thursday, March 27, during RWAMREC’s celebration of International Women’s Day, which was themed A woman's dignity is our pride. ALSO READ: Gender transformation should be Rwanda’s goal to achieve equality – RWAMREC Rwanda, the first country to have a female-majority parliament, has also achieved near-gender parity in secondary education and significant representation of women in leadership roles. However, Rutayisire pointed out that these statistics do not always translate into real empowerment. He added, For example, Rwanda has made progress in land ownership, with more women now owning land than men. It’s a great achievement. But we must ask ourselves—if more than 51 per cent of women own land, do they control it? Do they have decision-making power over it? He also noted persistent gender norms, limited financial access for female entrepreneurs, gaps in policy implementation, and the underrepresentation of women in private-sector leadership. We are facing increasing resistance and backlash against gender equality. So, while we have achieved a lot, we must ask ourselves: Why does inequality persist despite strong policies? Why is gender-based violence still present in our families, institutions, workplaces, and even places of worship? Rutayisire stressed the need for Rwanda to sustain gender equality efforts beyond donor funding. ALSO READ: Rwandan fathers step up: RWAMREC report highlights growing involvement in caregiving, family support We are at a critical moment where donors are cutting funding, and we are facing backlash. So, how do we adapt? How do we sustain our progress? How do we invest in community-led and homegrown solutions? he asked. RWAMREC remains committed to engaging men as allies in gender equality. Our niche is to mobilise men—to ensure they remain committed allies, working side by side with women to sustain our gains, he said. The event featured a panel discussion with stakeholders from the government, UN agencies, civil society, youth representatives, and other groups—supported by GIZ—to reflect on insights from the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and address existing barriers to gender equality. The role of religious leaders was highlighted as a critical factor, along with ongoing challenges in reproductive health rights and sex education. The sex education curriculum has the right content, but there isn’t enough time to teach it properly. Trained teachers are still lacking because cultural norms remain a barrier,” said Chantal Umuhoza Pan-African Feminist. Despite Rwanda’s progress in land ownership, female representation in leadership, and legal protections, panelists pointed to continued gaps in economic empowerment for women and limited access to essential services. There is also a lack of essential services, such as access to legal abortion. How are we addressing these issues in a way that is victim-centered and free from discrimination? added Umuhoza. Jennet Kem, UN Women’s Country Representative in Rwanda, echoed the call for strategic action and collaboration. Despite Rwanda’s strong legal frameworks, the real challenge lies in implementation. Two key barriers came up—resources and mindsets. Social norms and stereotypes continue to hinder progress. She emphasised the need for gender-responsive budgeting and alternative financing mechanisms. ALSO READ: There is much to do to achieve gender equality How do we finance gender equality in a constrained economic environment? How can women themselves mobilise resources? Whether through savings groups or special funds, we must find sustainable solutions, she said. She further underscored the role of men in achieving gender equality. Some may wonder why men are addressing women’s challenges, but the truth is, that women cannot achieve equality by sidelining men. If we are truly advocating for gender equality, then there should be no space that is exclusively for men or women. Equality is about complementarity. The world cannot progress on one wing—we need both men and women working together. She emphasised that sustained efforts are needed to tackle gender disparities. Gender equality is a continuous journey. There is no one day where we can say it’s 100 per cent achieved. But if we remain vigilant and work together, we can build a more prosperous and equitable nation.
