Various stakeholders in gender equality have called for more sensitisation on various issues concerning the subject.

The call was made yesterday during a national validation meeting on assessment of domestication and implementation of all gender related treaties ratified by the government.

The meeting was organised by the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO).

"I encourage all Rwandans to promote gender equality in their respective communities because we were all created in God’s own image and no one should discriminate his or her spouse,” Pastor Vincent Maniriho from Evangelical Alliance of Rwanda.

He urged GMO to carry out sensitisation campaigns, especially in the rural areas, saying that is where most people disregard issues of gender balance.

"GMO should come up with mechanisms for implementing the available gender related treaties in the country because, I think the implementation is so critical,” Charlotte Uwimana, one of the participants said.

She requested GMO to help change people’s mindset towards the gender issue.

The Chief Gender Monitor, Oda Gasinzigwa, said that her institution has conducted research on the assessment of the domestication and implementation of all gender related treaties and programmes ratified by the government.

She pointed out that the purpose of the study is to develop a comprehensive monitoring mechanism to easily and effectively track the level of domestication of the international commitments and programs by various stakeholders.

"GMO has a mandate to monitor progress towards gender equality and equity with the aim of ensuring that the fundamental principles of gender are respected in all organs of government, private, non governmental and religious organisations,” Gasinzigwa said.

She also said that Rwanda is party to a number of key international conventions, charters and human rights instruments, aimed at accelerating progress towards gender equality.

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