ENGAGING MEN FOR GENDER EQUALITY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
About the Project
RWAMREC is proud to introduce the "Engaging Men for Gender Equality in the Private Sector" project — an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming workplace cultures and supporting women's economic empowerment in Rwanda. The project recognizes that to close the gender gap, it is crucial to actively engage men as allies — as employers, colleagues, partners, and business leaders.
While Rwanda leads globally with the highest representation of women in parliament, gender inequality remains pronounced in the private sector. Women face lower participation rates, wage gaps, underrepresentation in decision-making roles, and barriers to entrepreneurship. This project addresses these issues by working directly with businesses, entrepreneurs, and the wider public to challenge harmful norms and create gender-sensitive workplaces.
Our Approach
RWAMREC is proud to introduce the "Engaging Men for Gender Equality in the Private Sector" project — an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming workplace cultures and supporting women's economic empowerment in Rwanda. The project recognizes that to close the gender gap, it is crucial to actively engage men as allies — as employers, colleagues, partners, and business leaders.
Using RWAMREC’s proven Gender Transformative Approach, the project will:
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Engage CEOs, owners, and senior management teams of 50 mid-sized companies to build more inclusive and equitable work environments.
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Provide targeted training for employees to shift workplace norms and attitudes, promoting safer and more supportive spaces for women.
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Support female entrepreneurs and their husbands to challenge traditional gender norms and strengthen women's business competitiveness.
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Conduct public awareness campaigns through radio, TV, and social media to inspire broader societal change in attitudes towards gender equality in business.
The project will focus on Kigali City (Gasabo and Nyarugenge) and Musanze District, where many mid-sized companies and women entrepreneurs are based.
The impact of Engaging Men for Gender Equality in the private sector
By the end of the project, RWAMREC aims to achieve:
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Better working conditions for women employees across 20 actively engaged companies.
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Empowered female entrepreneurs are better supported by their partners to thrive in business.
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Established male champions within companies advocating for gender-sensitive policies and practices.
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Public engagement through media campaigns reached 98% of radio listeners and 80% of TV viewers in Rwanda.
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Social media mobilization with influencers promoting positive masculinity and women's economic empowerment.
Sustainability
RWAMREC ensures that the project’s impact will last beyond its 18-month timeline by:
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Forming male champion groups within companies to sustain advocacy efforts.
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Supporting companies to integrate gender-sensitive policies into their operations.
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Building strong partnerships with the Private Sector Federation (PSF) and the Business Professionals Network (BPN) to institutionalize gender equality practices across the private sector.
Through continued collaboration, mentorship, and advocacy, the project will help foster a business environment where both women and men can thrive equally.