Despite significant strides in protecting women's rights, Rwanda continues to vigilantly identify and address gaps in its legal framework. An important milestone in this journey was when in 2023, Rwanda ratified the International Convention on Violence and Harassment, underscoring the country's unwavering commitment to advancing women's rights and protecting them from any form of discrimination or harassment.

Violence and Harassment Convention

With twenty articles divided into eight sections, the Convention, established in 2019, introduces provisions that were not previously part of Rwandan law to bolster the protection of Rwandan women, including in their workplaces.

Its provisions define violence and harassment in workplaces as a broad spectrum of unacceptable behaviours ranging from harassment to threats that can lead to physical, psychological, sexual, or economic harm.

Crucially, these protections apply to all women, including interns, volunteers, employees, and employers, and across all sectors, both public and private. This comprehensive approach ensures that individuals are safeguarded from violence and harassment not only within their workplace but also during any work-related activities or settings.

Ratifying the convention is a significant step, but it alone is insufficient. The Rwandan government and all stakeholders must now shoulder the responsibility of ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of its provisions. This requires not only educating the citizens about it but also establishing mechanisms in workplaces allowing employees to report incidents without fear of retaliation.

Empowering women is an ongoing journey. While Rwanda’s labour law and penal code previously provided a degree of protection against harassment,

the Convention now clarifies the definition of workplace harassment, outlines who is protected, who has the responsibility for enforcing the law, and other related matters

However, if its ratification underlines our determination to bridge the gaps in existing laws, our destination is yet to be reached.

Our next challenge: removing the pay gap

One of the biggest challenges Rwanda is facing is the pay gap - a phenomenon that starts insidiously and widens over time, becoming an accepted norm.

Fortunately, some institutions like the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) have taken up the mantle to address this issue. After conducting a pay gap analysis, BRD discovered that female executives were earning 17% less than their male counterparts for the same roles, with the gap originating from salary negotiations. Aggressive negotiators, who are often men, secured significantly higher salaries than women who weren’t as aggressive. To tackle this disparity, BRD decided to eliminate the salary negotiation stage from the recruitment process.

The case of BRD showcases the commitment of all Rwandans to address workplace injustices that are rooted in gender bias. Nevertheless, the journey towards gender equality remains ongoing and it requires the continued dedication of the Rwandan government and society to bridge the remaining gaps and ensure a fair and equitable environment for all.

The recent ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention marks another important milestone on Rwanda’s progressive path toward gender equity. Furthermore, Rwanda remains resolute in its determination to continue advancing towards a more just and equal society, ensuring that every woman's rights are respected and protected at every step of her life.

The writer is a Women Representative in the Chamber of Deputies, Rwanda’s Parliament.