Rwanda: Investing in women’s safety and economic empowerment (UN Women)

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In Rwanda, there is a significant gap in unpaid care work, with women spending about seven hours a day on unpaid care work compared to men’s average of 2.1 hours. This imbalance limits women’s economic opportunities.

To address these challenges, UN Women partnered with the district of Nyaruguru to create three Early Childhood Development Centers. These centres provide a secure setting for children’s learning and development, and offer nutritious meals and educational activities at a low cost. Since they opened three years ago, the centres have allowed more than 200 women to engage in income-generating activities while their children receive proper care.

One beneficiary, Christina Mukamana, reported substantial enhancements in her family’s quality of life after enrolling her children in the Munini Early Childhood Development Centre in April 2022. She says that, since I am now able to fully focus on my work, she has been lot more productive and even makes more money to support my family. She adds, “Our living conditions have also changed for the better, and there is a lot more harmony in our home.”

These centres are components of the larger “Safe Rural Public Spaces” project in Rwanda, which receives support from a variety of public and private partners, including the Republic of Korea. The initiative has impacted thousands, changing social norms and fostering safe environments for women to participate in income-generating activities.

UN Women has also teamed up with the Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre and Action Aid to confront societal perceptions of gender roles. Jennet Kem is UN Women’s representative in Rwanda. She stresses the necessity of including men and boys in striving for gender equality, pointing out that gender equality not only boosts household prosperity, but also promotes community peace.

In another program UN Women partnered with ADEPE Rwanda, the Young Women’s Christian Association, and other organizations to supply women with skills training in business management, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, as well as start-up capital.

Dative Mfitumukiza is a participant in this program from Musanze district who has a physical disability. After facing difficulties finding employment post-education and coping with the challenges of single motherhood, engaging in UN Women’s programs provided her with a fresh start.

She says, “When I was approached to take part in the UN Women trainings, I felt a great sense of hope.” She adds, “With the knowledge and support I received, I now run a small business of selling cassava flour and can make up to 100,000 Rwandan francs a day [about $80 US].”

These women’s success stories highlight the significant impact of investing in women’s economic potential, safety, and inclusion. Mrs. Kem emphasizes the importance of revisiting and challenging outdated societal structures and stereotypes. She concludes, “The power to change is in our hands, and we need all hands on deck, including men, boys, authorities, community leaders, and more.”

This story is adapted from an article published by UN Women called “Investing in women’s safety and economic empowerment in Rwanda” To read the full story, go to: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2024/02/investing-in-womens-safety-and-economic-empowerment-in-rwanda

Photo: Christine Mukamana is seen with her youngest son at the Early Childhood Development Centre in Munini Sector, Rwanda. Photo: UN Women/Geno Ochieng