RWAMREC Showcases Success of Male Engagement in Early Childhood Development at Africa Childcare Conference

RWAMREC
Jun 21
2 min read

Kigali, Rwanda

RWAMREC (Rwanda Men's Resource Centre) proudly participated in the Africa Conference on Childcare under the theme “Building Partnerships for Accelerating Action Towards Quality and Inclusive Childcare in Africa.” The event, hosted by the African Union Commission’s Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the Africa Early Childhood Network and partners, brought together governments, NGOs, researchers, and practitioners to advance the Early Childhood Development (ECD) agenda across the continent.

Africa Conference On Childcare June 2025

Advancing Quality and Inclusive Childcare Across Africa

This high-level conference aligned with Agenda 2063, Agenda 2040, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its goal was to strengthen cross-sector partnerships and accelerate action to ensure every African child has access to inclusive, affordable, and quality childcare services.

Key Objectives of the Conference

Raise political commitment to childcare development in Africa.
Build strong partnerships among governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations.
Advocate for sustainable financing and domestic resource mobilization for ECD initiatives.
Share successful models and best practices from across the continent.

Group picture at the AU Conference on Childcare

RWAMREC Presents Bandebereho as a Scalable Model for Engaging Men in Childcare

RWAMREC (Rwanda Men's Resource Centre) was featured in a key parallel session of the Africa Childcare Conference under the sub-theme: “Men Engagement, Innovative Childcare Models, Workforce for Childcare, Enabling Policy Environment, and Global Perspectives on Advocacy for Childcare.” The session, titled “Men Engagement in Childcare,” spotlighted innovative strategies for involving men in caregiving and highlighted RWAMREC’s leadership in transforming norms around fatherhood and early childhood development.

Representing RWAMREC, Emmanuel Karamage, Project Coordinator for the Bandebereho Scale-Up Project, delivered a compelling presentation on scaling up male involvement in childcare through Rwanda’s health system. He shared powerful insights from Bandebereho, RWAMREC’s flagship fatherhood initiative that promotes men’s active engagement in maternal and child health, caregiving, and early childhood development.

📄 You can view his full presentation here: Day 2 Presentations – Childcare 2025

RWAMREC's ED at the African Union Conference on Childcare

Highlights from the Presentation:

Bandebereho is an evidence-based program shown to improve parenting practices, reduce violence, and promote gender-equitable caregiving.
The model is highly adaptable across diverse cultural and national settings, offering a scalable approach for governments and organizations working to strengthen ECD through male engagement.
RWAMREC is open to partnerships and welcomes those interested in adopting or adapting the Bandebereho model to access tools, training materials, and lessons learned.

Participants responded enthusiastically to RWAMREC’s approach, emphasizing the often-overlooked but essential role of fathers and male caregivers in improving early childhood outcomes.

BANDEBEREHO participant taking care of his child — Photo © Pierre-Jean Fasan & RWAMREC

RWAMREC’s Commitment to ECD and Gender Equality

Through the Bandebereho program and other gender-transformative initiatives, RWAMREC is committed to building a future where both men and women share responsibility for nurturing and raising the next generation. The organization continues to lead in promoting positive masculinity, violence prevention, and community-driven childcare solutions in Rwanda and beyond.