RWAMREC at the Skoll World Forum 2026: Championing Gender-Transformative Change on the Global Stage

Oxford, United Kingdom | April 20–24, 2026

RWAMREC's Executive Director, Fidèle Rutayisire, represented the organization at one of the world's most prestigious gatherings of social change leaders — the Skoll World Forum 2026 in Oxford, United Kingdom. Held from April 21–24, with a Pre-Forum day on April 20, the Forum brought together global social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, policymakers, and thought leaders committed to tackling the world's most pressing challenges through innovation and collaboration.

RWAMREC's participation marked a significant milestone in the organization's journey toward global recognition — reaffirming its position as a leading voice in gender-transformative programming and male engagement for gender equality.

Elevating the Voice of Men and Boys in Gender Equality Conversations

One of the highlights of RWAMREC's participation came on April 20 at the Pre-Skoll Forum, where Fidèle Rutayisire took to the stage as a featured contributor in a high-level session titled: "Connected & Courageous: Investing in the Well-being of Boys and Young Men" (Organized by Futures Without Violence).

This platform allowed RWAMREC to make the case — powerfully and with evidence — that lasting gender equality cannot be achieved without actively engaging men and boys as partners in change. Drawing on RWAMREC's flagship Bandebereho program, a pioneering, evidence-based fatherhood initiative that has demonstrated measurable reductions in intimate partner violence and increased participation of men in unpaid care work, Fidèle made a compelling argument for greater investment in boys and young men as part of comprehensive gender equality strategies.

Contributing to the Forum's Key Thematic Sessions

Beyond the speaking engagement, RWAMREC actively shaped conversations across multiple sessions throughout the Forum, consistently weaving in a gender-transformative and male engagement lens. Sessions where RWAMREC contributed include:

• From Classroom to Workforce: Building Women's Economic Power — sharing lessons on how engaging men is essential to expanding women's access to finance and economic opportunity.

• Engaging Men and Boys in Advancing Gender Justice — presenting Bandebereho as a replicable, scalable model for transforming fatherhood norms and reducing violence.

• From Pilot to Policy: Community Power in Public Systems — contributing insights on how community-driven models can inform national-level change.

• Innovative Funding Approaches for Sustainable Impact — exploring models that sustain gender equality work long-term.

• From Stories to Action: Thinking Like an Impact Producer — bringing storytelling and communications strategy into the gender equality space.

• Women Grow Our Future: Regenerative Food Systems — linking gender equity to food sovereignty and regenerative agriculture.

Across all these engagements, RWAMREC carried a consistent and powerful message: transforming social norms and engaging men as allies is not optional — it is essential to achieving sustainable gender equality.

Building a Global Network for Greater Impact

The Skoll World Forum provided a unique opportunity to deepen relationships with existing partners and forge new connections with organizations working at the intersection of gender, development, and systems change. RWAMREC expanded its global network by building meaningful relationships with organizations including KickStart International, Intrepid Travel Foundation, Girls Not Brides, Lively Minds, and the World Justice Project, among others.

Fidèle also participated in the Rotary Club of Oxford North, opening an additional avenue for global civic engagement and partnership.

These connections lay the groundwork for future collaboration, joint advocacy, and shared learning across geographies and sectors.

Media Spotlight: RWAMREC's Story Reaches Global Audiences

RWAMREC's work attracted significant media interest at the Forum, with confirmed features and interviews with prominent outlets including The Guardian, Impact Entrepreneur, and Inside Philanthropy. These opportunities represent a powerful platform to:

• Amplify RWAMREC's story and impact to international audiences

• Shape global narratives around gender equality and the critical role of men and boys

Attract new funders, partners, and allies to RWAMREC's mission

Why Skoll 2026 Matters for RWAMREC's Mission

RWAMREC's participation at the Skoll World Forum 2026 was more than a networking event — it was a strategic investment in the organization's global influence and long-term impact. The Forum reinforced RWAMREC's standing as:

• A scalable, evidence-based organization with proven programming

• A global leader in engaging men and boys as agents of gender equality

• A credible partner for systems change at community, national, and international levels

In a world still grappling with deep-rooted gender inequalities, RWAMREC's presence at Skoll 2026 sent a clear signal: the work of transforming harmful social norms — starting with men — is central to any serious effort to build a just and equal world.

About RWAMREC

The Rwanda Men's Resource Centre (RWAMREC) is a Rwandan civil society organization dedicated to engaging men and boys in promoting gender equality, preventing gender-based violence, and transforming harmful masculinity norms. Through evidence-based programs like Bandebereho, RWAMREC works at community and policy levels to build a Rwanda — and a world — where all people can thrive free from violence and discrimination.

To learn more about RWAMREC's work or to explore partnership opportunities, visit our website or follow us on social media.