Gender and Community Development Analysis In Rwanda
The importance of mainstreaming gender in any country’s development initiatives and
the need to monitor and evaluate the progress of the mechanism is premised on the
alarming global gender disparities in social and economic opportunities, property and
rights.
On several occasions, the Government of Rwanda (GoR) has, through its stands and
actions, demonstrated its commitment to work towards the reduction of gender-based
inequalities and promotion of gender equality and equity in all areas.
Rwanda adopted the Beijing Platform for Action and undertook strategic actions aimed at
tackling twelve identified crucial areas. It ratified and adhered to a number of
international and regional conventions, charters and declarations, including, the CEDAW,
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1325, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 10 December 1948, the
New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Southern African Development
Community (SADC), COMESA and among others . All these instruments highlight
gender as an important approach for sustainable development. By ratifying the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW), in November 1981, Rwanda undertook to take appropriate measures,
including legislation to fight any act or practice of discrimination against women, to
modify and/or abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices which embody
discrimination against women as discussed in the next section.
