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outcome XM-DAC-41146-RWA_D_1.1
A diverse cohort of women leaders is formed to lead in governance at local and national level
Through concerted efforts in advocacy, awareness campaigns, skills development, and strategic mobilization, UN Women Rwanda contributed to enhancing women’s leadership and political participation at both national and local levels. These efforts have focused on empowering women leaders from diverse backgrounds, including young women, recent university graduates, rural women, and women living with HIV. As a result, a dynamic and inclusive cohort of women and girls’ leaders (380 interns, 30HIV + women) has emerged—better equipped, informed, and motivated to assume leadership roles and advocate for their rights. By supporting a six-month Internship and Mentorship Program for young female university graduates, UN Women, in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), local districts, and the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA), has significantly advanced women's leadership in decision making structures at local levels. With UN Women's support, 380 young women gained hands-on leadership experience within government structures across the country. According to RALGA’s impact assessment, the program delivered remarkable results: 49% of graduates have secured employment, while 20 young women have been elected to local government positions. This directly contributes to addressing the constitutional requirement of 30% women’s representation in decentralized governance structures and narrowing the gender gap in governance and strengthening women’s leadership at the grassroots level. The program’s success has led to its expansion, with 127 new graduates who joined in 2025, further reinforcing the pathway for young women to enter and thrive in local governance. UN Women in collaboration with the Rwanda Network of People living with HIV(RRP+) equipped 30 young women with leadership skills through training workshops, coaching, and policy advisory support. As a result, they have become vocal advocates against discrimination and challenged self-stigma related to HIV inspiring their peers to be agents for HIV prevention and women’s rights. Using storytelling approaches at public awareness campaigns and mass media, they have promoted messages of self-care, and an end to stigma contributing to shifting societal perceptions to leave no one behind. Additionally, UN Women and RRP+ have leveraged mass media platforms—including television, and social media—to amplify the voices of young women living with HIV and advocate for inclusive policies. These initiatives have broken the silence around HIV-related stigma and encouraged open discussions on prevention and rights-based advocacy. As a result, many of these young women have taken on leadership roles HIV advocacy groups, youth organizations, cooperatives and in local councils. UN Women has successfully applied the Gender Action Learning (GAL) approach, a participatory methodology designed to foster gender equality among rural women and rural communities in Gisagara, Kirehe, Ngoma, Nyamasheke and Nyaruguru districts. By equipping them in leadership skills, through community dialogues, and mentorship initiatives, this approach has been instrumental in strengthening their leadership and decision-making skills as well as enhancing, their confidence to actively participate in local governance, economic activities, and advocacy efforts. As a result, more rural women are now engaging in local decision-making structures particularly by taking leadership roles in cooperatives, community development committees, and local councils, where they advocate for women’s rights, financial inclusion, and social protection. By targeting rural women, young women living with HIV, and university graduates through tailored programs, UN Women has demonstrated its commitment to empowering all women to participate meaningfully in leadership and decision-making. These achievements underscore the transformative impact of collaboration, capacity building, and sustained advocacy in promoting women’s leadership and political participation across all sectors of Rwandan society. Link International Women’s Day: https://twitter.com/unwomenrwanda/status/1766020663557370277
outcome XM-DAC-41146-RWA_D_1.2
Women are perceived as equally legitimate and effective leaders as men throughout all spheres of society
In 2024, UN Women continued to implement interventions that aim to address structural barriers like unpaid care work (UCW), which limits women’s leadership opportunities. Women in Rwanda spend 7.1 hours daily on UCW, compared to 2.1 hours for men. In collaboration with MIGEPROF, UN Women leads the Rwanda Care Agenda, advocating for the recognition, reduction, and redistribution (3R) of UCW. As part of public mobilization efforts, community awareness campaigns aired on national television and radio focused on redistributing caregiving responsibilities and showcasing the transformative impact of gender equality within households. These broadcasts reached diverse audiences, including those in remote communities, sparking dialogue and challenging deeply rooted social norms. Through the engagement of men, women, and youth, UN Women and MIGEPROF have driven societal norm changes and reinforced institutional support for women leaders. Advocacy efforts led to commitments such as to expand Early Childhood Development (ECD) services, embed care economy principles into national policies and legislation such as the revised Family Law, and increasing men's participation in care responsibilities. As a result, more women are stepping into leadership roles with broader public acceptance. In addition, stakeholders’ capacity to integrate gender into economic planning has increased as a result of a UN Women-MIGEPROF convened training which equipped government, civil society, and private sector actor stakeholders with tools such as the Oxfam Care Scorecard and UN Women-ILO Costing Tool, ensuring unpaid care work is systematically mainstreamed in the action plans they developed based on the support provided. As a result of these concerted efforts, there has been a notable shift in the public and institutional recognition of women as capable and effective leaders. Addressing unpaid care work has not only expanded women’s economic opportunities but has also helped reframe societal attitudes toward women in leadership roles. Women are increasingly seen as equal contributors and decision-makers, with their leadership capabilities being celebrated and supported at local and national levels. This shift is reinforced by the integration of care work considerations into national strategies such as NST2 implementation plans, District Development strategies (DDS) fostering an environment where shared caregiving responsibilities promote more inclusive societal structures and equitable perceptions of leadership.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-RWA_D_1.3
Implementation of gender equality and women’s empowerment commitments strengthened at national and local levels
UN Women’s contributions in 2024 advanced key regional and global gender equality commitments, including the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) by supporting gender mainstreaming, stakeholder collaboration and accountability at both national and local levels for the implementation of the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1). A key achievement was supporting the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) in launching Gender-Responsive Village Mechanisms across all districts of the Southern Province. These mechanisms engaged village committees in implementing gender equality and women’s empowerment interventions, fostering gender accountability at the grassroots level. The intervention resulted in common understanding of roles and responsibilities of the different actors for the effective implementation, resulting in enhanced partnerships among local authorities, civil society, and other key stakeholders. This also contributed to the increased participation of women in decision-making processes, particularly in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and promoting gender equality within communities. UN Women Country Office supported the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) to develop the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) +30 National Progress Report through participatory consultations to evaluate progress across twelve critical areas, offering recommendations to sustain achievements and accelerate SDG Goal. It highlights efforts to close the gender gap in education, reduce poverty among women and girls, and improve access to clean energy. Strategic priorities focus on STEM education for women and advancing economic empowerment beyond financial inclusion. These insights informed the development of national policies such as the NST II and will inform efforts to accelerate the realization of gender equality in line with global and regional commitments. The timely completion and submission of the report to the global BPfA secretariat set example of Rwanda's commitment to global GEW norms. UN Women’s technical support has strengthened Rwanda’s coordination and normative frameworks, positioning it as a thought leader and convener in gender equality. In 2024, UN Women supported Rwanda's preparations for and participation in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 68 which was preceded by the development of a refined national position on gender equality, particularly focusing on poverty alleviation and financing gender equality. The side event, organized by UN Women Rwanda in collaboration with UN Women Offices and Governments of Rwanda, Uganda, and Cameroon, highlighted the importance of innovative financing approaches and promoted tools such as Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB). These discussions provided key lessons to Rwanda towards the adoption of new financing models for gender-responsive development, further fostering partnerships and collaboration on gender equality at the regional level.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-RWA_D_2.1
New opportunities are unlocked for women to benefit from Rwanda’s expanding private sector markets
In 2024, UN Women Rwanda contributed to efforts that have addressed systemic barriers such as gender disparities in technology access, unpaid care work, limited access to finance and market, lack of gender equality standard and limited participation in STEM fields as well as private sector. Collaborations with various organizations have advanced women’s food security, reduced malnutrition, fostered women's economic independence and promoted gender responsive environment within public and private institution through gender seal certification and development of gender equality standard for Rwanda. For example, UN Women together with UNDP, GMO, PSF, RSB developed the gender equality standard (GES-059) and its adoption and implementation lead to more equitable, inclusive and sustainable development outcomes benefiting not only women and girls but society as a whole as well as creating mechanisms for holding institutions accountable for gender equality by translating it into action. Collaborations with WFP, IFAD, FAO, SAFE, RWARRI, and the Rwanda Cooperative Agency have significantly unlocked potential opportunities in advanced food security, reduced malnutrition, and fostered women’s economic independence. The integrated approaches of Gender Action Learning System (GALS) and Farmer Field and Life Schools (FFLS) empowered women to challenge traditional gender roles, adopt modern agricultural practices, and build resilience to climate challenges. Additionally, training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and e-commerce enabled six thousand of women to access financial services, developed viable business plans, and connected to local and international markets, thereby enhancing their economic opportunities and independence. UN Women supported access to finance initiatives directly supported women with the financial resources needed to start and expand their businesses as well as acquire livestock assets. The increased savings and access to loans enable women to invest in income-generating activities, purchase necessary inputs, and improve their production capacity. Through the partnership between ActionAid and UN Women Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs in Ngoma, Kirehe, and Nyaruguru districts were strengthened, resulting service delivery by, enabling women to pursue economic opportunities for women. Advanced caregiving training improved equipped ECD caregivers with the skills to provide high-quality childcare, enabling women to confidently pursue income-generating activities. Furthermore, awareness campaigns on equitable sharing of household responsibilities, contributed to a more balanced division of care work responsibilities. These combined efforts led to greater gender equality in caregiving and increased economic participation for women, creating a more supportive environment for their economic empowerment. UN Women’s efforts to bridge the gender digital divide have spotlighted the innovations of women and girls as a pathway to women's opportunities to new digital product markets, including marketing, leadership solutions, networking, and partnerships. Through trainings, mentorships, and advocacy—such as those provided by the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI)—these efforts have raised awareness of the gender gaps in the digital sector and fostered strategic partnerships. These collaborations will catalyze opportunities for private sector engagement, positioning the private sector as a key driver in closing the gender digital gap in Rwanda. By enhancing women and girls' digital skills and visibility, UN Women is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable digital economy, where women and girls are not only participants but also leaders in shaping digital innovation. Furthermore, the Gender Equality Accountability Programme (GES), supported by UN Women, Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), Private sector federation (PSF) and UNDP, has effectively created gender-responsive business environments within the Rwanda's private sector driving significant progress in gender equality and women's empowerment across both public and private institutions. Key results include 30 out of 54 enrolled institutions earned the prestigious Gold Seal certification for their commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, a reduction in the gender pay gap, increased women’s representation in leadership roles, improved work-life balance, and the development of women-tailored products such as enhanced access to finance. Initially embraced by large companies, the program has also gained traction among SMEs, encouraging the establishment of gender accountability systems across both private and public sectors. These efforts are crucial in fostering an inclusive and equitable business environment where women have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to the economy.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-RWA_D_2.3
Women farmers and cooperatives’ engagement in higher segments of the food and agricultural value chains is increased
UN Women Rwanda made significant strides in empowering women, particularly in agriculture and business ensuring that women farmers and cooperatives’ engagement in higher segments of the food and agricultural value chains is increased. UN Women’s successful integration of gender perspectives into the 2024-2030 Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA-5) ensured that women’s access to land, resources, and decision-making are prioritized in national policies and strategies. Through advocacy and multi-stakeholder dialogues during key celebrations like International Women’s Day and World Food Day, UN Women and its partners continued to promote gender-responsive policies, strengthening women’s role in driving economic growth and sustainable development. The CO partnership with ActionAid Rwanda, FAO, WFP, IFAD, Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), Private Sector Federation (PSF), and Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA), addressed key barriers such as the burden of unpaid care work and limited access to essential resources. Notably, the Fifth Integrated Household Living Survey (EICV 2017) revealed that only 7% of female-headed households had access to piped water in their dwellings, compared to 10% of male-headed households. In rural areas, households often travel long distances to access improved drinking water sources, with 16% located within 0–200 meters and 34% within 0–500 meters of such sources. UN Women Rwanda made significant strides in empowering women, particularly in agriculture and business ensuring that women farmers and cooperatives’ engagement in higher segments of the food and agricultural value chains is increased. In 2024, UN Women’s ongoing advocacy efforts led to the integration of cross-cutting key GEWE priorities into Rwanda’s Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA-5) for the 2024-2030 period. In collaboration with Rwanda's Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), UN Women contributed to the formulation and integration of gender perspectives within the PSTA-5. This further positioned UN Women as a strategic actor for shaping policies that support women’s participation beyond primary production into processing, marketing, and trade. During the Forward-Looking High-Level Agriculture Joint Sector Review and in the different technical consultations of Agriculture Sector Working Group (ASWG), UN Women's contribution resulted in the integration of GEWE principles into national agricultural sector strategy that will mobilise, among others, government and private sector stakeholders to prioritize women’s economic empowerment in the agricultural value chain through financial inclusion, and market linkages and access to resouces and technologies. The adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices through the Farmer Field and Life Schools (FFLS) approach and the establishment of 113 demonstration plots has further empowered rural women. Over 8,000 farmers, 79% of whom were women (6,297), gained skills in sustainable farming techniques such as mulching, minimum tillage, crop rotation, and organic manure application. These practices not only improved crop yields and reduced costs but also enhanced resilience to climate change, significantly benefiting livelihoods. UN Women in partnership with FAO, WFP, and IFAD, convened a high-level advocacy platform that resulted in the adoption of actionable strategies to enhance women’s participation in agrifood systems for the inclusive implementation of PSTA 5. Held at the occasion of the Pan-African Women’s Day celebration, stakeholders identified persistent challenges, such as limited land ownership by women and restricted decision-making power in agricultural activities. This disparity underscores the need for continued and concerted efforts to ensure women’s equitable access to land and resources. Additionally, the event fostered multi-sectoral collaboration and developed recommendations to promote gender-transformative agrifood systems. This advocacy highlighted the critical link between gender equality, food security, and climate resilience. UN Women’s leadership and collaboration with partners contributed to the establishment of strategic partnerships, such as with the Rwanda Cooperative Agency, to enhance stakeholders’ capacity to create conducive policy and operational environment for the engagement of women in more profitable and value-added activities within the food and agricultural chain. They were also supported to develop and implement robust feedback mechanisms to align program interventions with beneficiaries' needs for impact on rural women’s livelihoods and community resilience.Showing 1 - 5 of 11