Gender Equality in Rwanda: RWAMREC Q1 2026 Quarterly Recap

Published May 8, 2026 · Rwanda Men's Resource Centre (RWAMREC)

In the first quarter of 2026, the Rwanda Men's Resource Centre (RWAMREC) continued its mission of advancing gender equality in Rwanda — one family, one community, and one story at a time. From transforming fatherhood norms to scaling women-led self-help groups, this recap highlights the people, programs, and partnerships driving real change across the country.

We also launched our 2025 Annual Report and the "Faces of Change" storytelling platform, giving a voice to the individuals at the heart of this work.

From provider to partner: redefining fatherhood through Bandebereho

The Bandebereho program continues to challenge harmful gender norms by engaging men as active caregivers and equal partners at home. One participant's journey illustrates just how transformative this shift can be: before joining the program, he saw financial provision as his sole role as a husband. Through Bandebereho, he began sharing domestic responsibilities, attending antenatal care with his wife, and taking a hands-on role in parenting.

This is what gender equality in Rwanda looks like at the household level — not just policy, but lived practice. Key achievements this quarter include improved couple communication, increased male engagement in caregiving, and measurable shifts in gender attitudes. RWAMREC is now partnering with Cartier Philanthropy to scale Bandebereho further.

From conflict to partnership: transforming relationships through Kataza

Adeline and Emmanuel's story shows how shifting gender norms can transform both relationships and economic outcomes. Once marked by conflict and mistrust, their partnership is now grounded in trust, shared responsibility, and joint business management — thanks to RWAMREC's couples sessions under the Kataza initiative.

Kataza is a three-year initiative (2024–2027) led by the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) with the Mastercard Foundation, reaching 495 couples through its Journey of Transformation, training 64 Growth Guides on Gender Transformative Approaches, and mobilising 100+ community activists.

From listening to transformation: changing norms through Twubakane

Twubakane is proving that edutainment can be a powerful driver of gender equality in Rwanda. Through a radio drama reaching thousands of households, the program has shown reductions in intimate partner violence, increased joint decision-making, and improved attitudes toward gender equality — with 27,000+ listeners reached and 2,400 couples enrolled in a randomised controlled trial across 96 villages.

From marginalization to agency: women leading change through IGIRE MUGORE and Powered by Women

IGIRE MUGORE helped establish 13 self-help groups this quarter, supporting women in building financial independence, confidence, and leadership. Meanwhile, Powered by Women (PBW) trained 360 couples and engaged 330 youth across Eastern Province, reaching over 6,000 people through International Women's Day events.

Both programs reflect RWAMREC's belief that gender equality in Rwanda is strengthened when women lead — in their homes, their communities, and their economies.

From barriers to leadership: young women thriving through Shora Neza

In partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), RWAMREC implemented a gender-transformative component under the Shora Neza program, operating across 43 sectors in 18 districts. Among 560 participants trained in Gender Transformative Approaches, the results were striking: understanding of power dynamics jumped from 27.7% to 98.2%, and the belief that a woman's place is only in the home dropped from 76.2% to just 8.7%. 100 Gender Champions are now leading peer dialogues in cooperatives across 20 sectors.

Restoring sight and dignity: eye health for all

RWAMREC's Eye Health project reached 295,329 people through awareness campaigns, screened 1,517 individuals, and identified 253 cataract cases — all while removing gender and social barriers to health-seeking. Strong inclusion of persons with disabilities remained a priority.

On the global stage: RWAMREC at CSW70

As an ECOSOC-accredited NGO, RWAMREC brought Rwanda's experience to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York, sharing community-based approaches to advancing women's access to justice. Executive Director Fidèle Rutayisire noted: "Women's access to justice often starts at home. Engaging men through dialogue and couples' conversations helps transform power relations and reduce barriers women face in seeking justice."

RWAMREC will next showcase its work at the MenCare ChangeMaker Summit in Rio de Janeiro (27–29 May 2026).

New collaborations and what's ahead

Q1 brought exciting new partnerships — including with Innovations for Poverty Action and the University of Rwanda on the Twubakane RCT, and expanded access to refugee camps in partnership with MINEMA. Coming soon: a Regional Hub on Male Allyship and Positive Masculinities, and a Youth Module developed with UNFPA, UNAIDS, and RRP+ Rwanda.

RWAMREC's future priorities include scaling Bandebereho toward nationwide coverage, deepening research and MEAL systems, and addressing all forms of gender-based violence — including technology-facilitated GBV — through culturally grounded prevention campaigns.

Shaping masculinities: voices from the community

Artist Jean Paul Mugisha's Kwiyuka Ndero exhibition at the Goethe-Institut Kigali explored fatherhood through pyrography, challenging emotional distance and toxic masculinity in parenting. RWAMREC joined the closing ceremony on 3 February 2026, contributing to a growing community conversation on care, vulnerability, and equitable fatherhood.

Read the full newsletter: mailchi.mp/rwamrec/2026-newsletter-january-to-march-recap · Contact: info@rwamrec.org