RSB hosted the High-Dialogue and launch of Gender Equality Seal Program under RS 560 Standards
“In 2023 Rwanda become the 1st African country to publish Gender Equality Standards. The major milestone. This standards are more than technical tools. They are drivers of sustainable change, guiding institutions to promote equal access to opportunities for both women and men.
This align with NST2 transformational governance pillar, which emphasizes inclusive accountability and improved service delivery. That’s why I encourage all institutions represented here today to take action. All start by policy. Revise your internal policy, your programs and practices. You can always ask yourself , are we fair to everyone? Do we give both women and men a voice and chance?
The Government of Rwanda is committed to working in partnership with the private sector and civil society to promote Gender accountability.” Said by Hon. UWIMANA Consolée ,The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion in Rwanda.
This event happened on this Thursday 15 May 2025, at the Rwanda Standard Board Headquarter, Kigali-Kicukiro. It was attended by different professionals from both private, government and international institutions and companies such as RSB, I&M BANK, REG and Vivo Energy Rwanda
Director General of Rwanda Standard Board, Raymond MURENZI shared his remarks as he welcome participants.
He said :”In today’s dialogue, we will reflect on the tremendous progress we have made as country, in promoting Gender Equality, creating value addition to both public and private organs, engagement and commitment in accounting for Gender Equality through Gender Equality Seal Program, and approaches to sustain this initiative.”
He continued “in this journey to institutionalize Gender Equality implementation and certification, I wish to recall and recognize GMO and UNDP for active engagement and support as well as collaborative efforts from other key stakeholders that led a fully operational certification scheme. Rwanda Standard Board remains committed to collaboration with all concerns stakeholders to upscale this initiative and push it to become a reality acknowledged beyond the borders.”
Mrs. UMUTONI GATSINZI Nadine, Chief Gender Monitor, appreciated all partners for their contribution to the Gender Equality journey. She has also emphasized on importance of adopting RS 560.
She said “Rwanda is the first county in Africa to adopt RS 560 National Standard on Gender equality requirements. This standard clearly, measurably and sustainably defines what Gender Equality looks like. It is a transformational tool. It provide guidance to both public and private institutions, to assure that Gender considerations integrated with policies, practices, governance, recruitment, budgeting and service delivery.”
FATMATA Lovetta Sesay, Ph.D., Resident Representative of UNDP in Rwanda, appreciated Rwanda’s initiative of adopting RS 560 and being pioneer in whole Africa.
She said: “We are particularly encourage that initiative to scale RS 560 beyond Rwanda. We know Rwanda is a pioneer in so many ways in Gender equality. And that’s why we don’t want that those information, those skills, those expertise be only in Rwanda. We want take this beyond Rwanda to Africa.”
Eduque ISINGIZWE
