Rwanda has made tremendous gains in building inclusive governance systems, which have integrated women over the past three decades – becoming a global model of how countries can involve women in leadership. However, more efforts are needed to effectively include women in peace-building and conflict resolution.

In terms of women representation, Rwanda continues to be a global leader – as the leading country with a female majority in parliament, with 63.8 per cent of the seats in the Chamber of Deputies held by women, while in the Senate they make up to 53 per cent of the members.

Globally, women held 27 per cent of parliamentary seats and 23 per cent of ministerial positions, and represented fewer than 10 per cent of the world’s heads of state.

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Rwanda also scores highly in several other areas, including ranking 6th globally in bridging the gender gap, while female cabinet members account for about 45.4 per cent. Female judges also consist of 51 per cent of the total number of judges in Rwandan courts.

However, a recent study by the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR), shows that despite the fact that Rwanda has made significant improvement in peace and conflict resolution, there is still a lot the country has to do to fully integrate women in the process in a more effective manner.

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The study, which was done in partnership with Cameroon-based Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation, which works to catalyse Africa's Economic Transformation through social entrepreneurship, science and technology, innovation and other sectors, shows that more efforts are needed to involve more women in peace building, conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms.

"Rwanda should continue to engage more women as well as men to fully participate in peace building, conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms,” the report reads in part.

The paper highlights the need to consolidate related efforts by different government organs to effectively coordinate all interventions, policies, strategies and programmes. There is also need to put up a strong monitoring and evaluation mechanism as well as seeking to effectively implement and fully fund national policies and legislation to ensure women’s participation at all levels.

The study was done with the objective of identifying ways of how women can contribute to the promotion of peacebuilding in post-genocide Rwanda and similar societies.

It takes stock of the efforts that were put in place by Rwanda to empower women after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi so that they effectively contribute to peacebuilding and social cohesion.

It tackles the existing gaps, and the way forward in strengthening women’s role in peacebuilding, security, accountability, governance, and the promotion of women's rights.

The report states that, while women in Rwanda have played a positive role in mainstreaming gender equality in policies and laws, they should contribute to bridging the existing gaps in the participation of women in conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms.

"Few women featured in peace negotiations, though women have been instrumental in driving forward peace and reconciliation processes within their communities,” the report recommends.

"On its part, the government should consolidate related efforts being made by different government ministries and agencies and coordinate policies, programmes, and monitoring and evaluation,” it adds.

Among the recommendations, the report says that the first step should be appealing to more women to be involved in peace and security sector initiatives, and to seize the opportunity to enjoy a gratifying security career.

"Adequate policies and structures are essential in supporting women to keep progressing in the security sector,” the study says, observing that currently interventions are few, scattered and do not fully integrate the crucial gender requirements.

The paper points out that the National Action Plan (NAP) should clearly integrate gender into the stakeholder’s plans, and precisely measure the level of its implementation and monitoring by various stakeholders.

"Involving more women to participate in exchange learning and sharing experiences as well as best practices with other women in the region; particularly women who spearheaded conflict resolution and integrated governance can be very beneficial,” the report says in its conclusion.

The study notes that although women are still under-represented in national security and governance organs, there is political will to encourage women to join security organs in order to increase the role of women in national and international peace and security agenda as well as governance.

It further points out that learning from evidence on women empowerment and their involvement in different organs can influence policy advocacy and dialogue, as well as action to continue encouraging women for positive changes.

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The study, which was carried out between May 2023 and October, 2024, analysed the role of women in peacebuilding of the nation in the context of post-genocide Rwanda.

It also assessed the challenges and gaps faced by women in executing the role of peacebuilding promotion, as well as their contribution in decision-making, with a view of empowering women to fully participate in decision-making in areas of peace, security, accountability and integrated governance.

Specifically, the study sought to identify policy gaps and therefore make policy recommendations to increase women's contribution to peace, security and integrated governance.

Gains and gaps

The study was a desk review and was based on the and analysis of existing studies, policies, strategies, reports, and academic papers produced by the government, partners and other stakeholders.

This was done to provide a solid understanding of the role and contribution of females in Rwanda’s peacebuilding.

The study reveals that in Africa only less than 10% of women participated in peace keeping and conflict resolution in the year 2023. Women are still affected by negative traditional beliefs and gender norms.

To overcome the above gaps and change traditional gender barriers in peace and security, the UN Security Council passed a resolution 1325 in the year 2000 encouraging all actors to raise women’s participation and mainstreaming gender aspects in all United Nations peace and security efforts.

Although, there has been space given to women in peace and security, in many African countries, some challenges still exist.

The study notes that women have played a key role in the peacebuilding in Rwanda, including participating in the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to resolve conflicts and rebuild the country, challenges that limit women’s full participation and make them invisible in most security organs, hence less representation more especially at local levels.

While women’s economic empowerment, contributed to the country’s economic development, especially through agriculture and service sectors, the role of women in post-genocide resolution, and economic development can be traced in different initiatives.

Among them is the Unity Club founded by the First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, with the aim of promoting unity and peace, as well as the socio-economic development of the country.

Furthermore, women in parliament established a forum known as "Rwanda Women Parliamentary Forum (FFRP)” that serves as a platform to lobby and influence the enactment of laws that protect and promote the rights of women, while promoting gender equality.

Similarly, the National Women's Council (NWC) was formed for advocacy, capacity building, and social mobilisation from the village to the national level, giving women a platform that enables them to increase their visibility, and contribute to national debates which influences policy development and democratic processes in the country.

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The rate of women’s participation in peace keeping missions like in Rwanda National Police (RNP) and other Rwandan security forces has progressively increased.

Among the key statistics, women’s participation in the police force has increased from 0.4 per cent in 2010 to 25 per cent in 2021, while the number of women in RNP has been progressively increasing.

The numbers grew from 16 per cent in 2016 to 21 per cent in 2018, and 25 per cent in 2021. Rwanda has deployed peacekeepers in missions in different African countries including South Sudan, Central African Republic (CAR), Mozambique, and Haiti among others.

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"The government of Rwanda is among the African countries contributing female officers in peacekeeping worldwide,” the report notes, adding that Rwanda also has a good number of women that participate in integrated governance.

Need for action

In most African countries, women are still under-represented in governance and decision-making positions.

A good example is Nigeria where only 10 per cent of women participated in the elections of 2023, and at the federal level women only made nine per cent (9%) of all candidates in the presidential and legislative polls.

The inter-parliamentary union and UN women data presented on January 1, 2023, indicates that women are under-represented at all levels of decision making worldwide and achieving gender parity in politics is still very low.

According to the Global Gender Gap report of 2023, most governments lack female representation. The gender gap report points out that the full parity will not be reached for another 130 years.

Rwanda also reinforced the socio-economic status of Rwandan women since the end of the Genocide. The findings from the thematic report on gender reveal that women were over represented with 60.9 per cent (women having daily wage job contract). The result also shows that only 27.5 per cent of female had a permanent contract compared to 32.5 per cent among men

Findings from different studies pointed out patriarchal mindset as one of the factors leading to the under-representation of women in local government entities.

The report indicated that there is an assumption among the general population that women are fit to run for some elected positions in the local government, such as those dealing with social affairs as well as secretariat while appointed, or elective leadership positions, especially those dealing with economic affairs to be more appropriate for males.

Statistics from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), show that 61.8 per cent of the male working population had a source of income compared to 48 per cent of women.

However, women only own 38 per cent of micro-business, 32 per cent of small business, 21 per cent of medium enterprises and only 15 per cent of large businesses as compared to men.

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IPAR is an Independent Think Tank recognised Centre of Excellence on Policy Analysis, and Research in Rwanda and beyond – with a mission to enhance evidence-based policymaking through research, and policy analysis, promote a culture of dialogue and debate to improve policy and impact change in Rwanda.