Engaging Men in Violence Prevention via Coffee Cooperatives

In 2010, the Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC) implemented the project “Engaging Men in Violence Prevention via Coffee Cooperatives” to reduce gender-based violence by engaging men in community-based prevention efforts through cooperative structures.

In partnership with three coffee cooperatives—Coopac, Abakundakawa, and Dukundekawa—RWAMREC conducted gender-based violence prevention trainings aimed at educating members on nonviolent conflict resolution, shared decision-making, and promoting healthy relationships. The project’s dual objective was to prevent GBV while strengthening economic cooperation and promoting gender equality within the coffee production sector.

Each cooperative received financial and technical support, including seed money to develop income-generating activities such as coffee basket production, alongside structured community discussion sessions. These combined interventions encouraged dialogue on gender norms while enhancing livelihoods.

Informal assessments revealed a positive shift in male attitudes, with increased questioning of GBV, reduced reported violence cases, and more equitable household labor sharing. Though not backed by control-group data, the initiative demonstrated the potential of integrating GBV prevention into economic cooperatives to foster sustainable community change.