The Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) on May 10 hosted a Gender Equality Seal (GES) certification event aiming to raise awareness about the private sector's crucial role in advancing gender equality while motivating more companies to prioritize gender-responsive policies and initiatives.
According to GMO, this recognition is awarded to institutions that demonstrated a strong commitment to gender equality through their policies, practices, and culture.
Seven private companies including The New Times, Vivo Energy Rwanda, Kitabi Tea Company, Rwanda Inter-link Transport Company (Ritco), Akagera Coffee Project, Masaka Farms, and Rwanda Development Board as the only public institution on the list, were certified with a gold seal – the highest certificate offered in Rwanda – for their outstanding achievements in promoting gender accountability and creating gender-responsive work environments.
The silver seal was awarded to organizations that applied gender policy up to 70 percent in the working space. The awarded organizations were Nyamurinda Coffee Growers, and Afri-Foods. Other three companies; 1000 Hills Products Rwanda, Tropi Wanda, and Virunga Biotech, were rewarded with a bronze seal.
In addition, companies recognized for their effort include ATL and Akagera Aviation, Stafford Coffee Brewers, ProxiFresh, King Faisal Hospital Rwanda, Silverback Tea Company, Wood Foundation Africa, and Aux Delices Honey.
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"Gender equality is a human right and key for effective and sustainable development outcomes. The United States, through USAID Rwanda, supports the Gender Equality Seal certification framework for small and medium enterprises specializing in agri-business, production, and exports. For the first time anywhere in the world, thanks to the support from the American people, this initiative is intentionally targeting the SME sector,” said Keisha Effiom, the Deputy Mission Director for USAID Rwanda.
Valentine Uwamariya, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, said: "Amazingly, the work celebrated today aligns with our country’s choice of being accountable and leaving no one behind. It is important to highlight that promoting gender equality in the private sector is an essential step towards building a more equitable workplace.”
She said that when companies are making deliberate decisions to consider the needs of all genders in their policies, practices and policy making processes, it becomes evidence that the entire workforce is unlocked.
Raymond Murenzi, the Director General of Rwanda Standard Board, said: "We appreciate the good efforts between all actors we are working with to promote and mainstream gender equality through standardization. It’s an outstanding pillar to build on and move forward to ensure the sustainability of the achievements through the development of the gender equality standards and its implementing tools, such as the certification scheme.”
Sakina Usengimana, the CEO of Afri-foods, said: "This is a celebration but a continuous journey. I really want to tell the people who won the award today that this is just the beginning.
"We should make sure it is the DNA of our companies. Today, I may be the General Manager, but I may go. My managers may go, but this has to stay in our companies.”
Awarding outstanding performers in gender accountability is part of the Gender Equality Seal Programme, launched in 2017 in partnership with the Private Sector Federation, UNDP, UN WOMEN, and USAID, to encourage public and private organizations to create equitable working conditions for men and women.