1. Gender Equality and Millennium Development Goals
Presented to Rwanda Rotoract Associations Annual Conference
Dr Shirley Randell AM,
Senior Advisor, Governance & Gender,
SNV Rwanda

2. Gender Equality - What does gender equality mean?
- Difference between sex and gender?
- What does gender equality mean?
- Why is gender equality important?
- What is gender discrimination?
- How to achieve gender equality?
- How we are mainstreaming gender in Rwanda?
- Towards MDG 3 in Rwanda
- What can Rotoract do?
SNV Rwanda

3. Sex
Sex indicates the biological/physical differences between men and women that we are born with
For example men can impregnate and women can give birth and breast-feed
Sex is universal
Sex is generally not changeable
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4. Gender
Gender indicates the socially constructed differences between men and women.
It refers to the relationships between men and women, boys and girls, and how these are socially constructed.
Gender roles are dynamic and change over time.
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5. What is Gender Equality?
Gender equality is about men and women being valued to the same extent and sharing equally and fully in the process of development, enjoying equal status, recognition and consideration.
SNV Rwanda

6. Why Gender Equality is Important
Without the equal participation of women and men there can be no real, sustainable development.
The realization of women’s and men’s full potential, the promotion of human rights, and the equal opportunity to contribute to the betterment of the society are fundamental in the development process.
SNV Rwanda

7. What is Gender Discrimination
Gender discrimination is any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of reducing or preventing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by men or women, of their equality, human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.
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8. SNV Rwanda

9. What is Gender Discrimination (cont)
Women and men may be treated differently (restricted or excluded or violated) in the family, the community, the workplace or society due to gender stereotypes:
- e.g. when women with suitable qualifications and experience are not promoted to leadership positions because a society believes that only men can make important decisions
- or when maternity leave is granted to women after the birth of a child and paternity leave is denied to men.
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10. What Gender Discrimination leads to
Endemic poverty, inequitable and low economic growth, high HIV/AIDS prevalence, and inadequate governance.
Any form of gender discrimination is a denial of human rights, an obstacle to human development.
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11. Selected Development Indicators by Sex, Rwanda, 2004
Female
Male
Life expectancy at birth
45.6 years
42.1 years
Combined gross enrolment ratio for primary, secondary and tertiary levels
48.6%
58%
Adult literacy rate (age 15 and above)
48.6 %
70.5%
Estimated earned income (PPP US $)
Women living below poverty line
$US 985
65.3%
$US 1,583
SNV Rwanda

12. Selected Development Indicators by Sex, Rwanda, 2004
Female
Male
Total rate of economic activity
82.3%
93.5%
Employment in the non-agricultural sector
24% -
Participation in tertiary education
39%
61%
Participation in Government at Ministerial level
35.7%
64.3%
Participation in National Parliament
48%
52%
SNV Rwanda

13. How to achieve Gender Equality?
Mainstreaming Gender:
The process of assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, ensuring that women and men have equal access and control over resources, development benefits and decision-making, at all stages of the development process:
Legislation
Policies
Budgets
Programmes
Projects, and in all areas and at all levels.
SNV Rwanda

14. How to achieve Gender Equality? (cont)
Women’s empowerment:
- central to human development, the process of enlarging people’s choices, which cannot occur when the choices of half of humanity are restricted.
- Targeted actions aimed at empowering women and righting gender inequities in the social and economic sphere, as well as in terms of civil and political rights, must be taken alongside efforts to en-gender the development process.
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15. How to achieve Gender Equality? (cont)
Gender equity: the process of being fair to women and men - the impartial treatment of all people without regard to sex, class, race, age
It balances past or current differences that have had a negative impact on women's or men's ability to participate fully in families, communities, organisations and societies with specific actions or interventions
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16. Gender Equity
Development programs, policies and projects affect men and women differently - and this often calls for special measures to "level the playing field".
For example, programs to improve educational access and achievement for girls, so that they can catch up with boys, is an equitable way to achieve equality in access to resources.
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17. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Towards MDG 3
Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women

18. Indicators
Indicator 9: Ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education.
Indicator 10: Ratio of literate females to males of year olds.
Indicator 11 :Share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector.
Indicator 12: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament.
SNV Rwanda

19. Towards MDG 3 Planned Activities
The important issues for women in development to achieve MDG 3 will be addressed within targeted Ministries
PRIMATURE
- MIGEPROF (To monitor gender policy and practice in all Ministries)
- MININFORM (To ensure a better reflection of women and gender issues in media)
MINEDUC (To ensure the same ratio of boys to girls in primary, secondary and tertiary education and in literate women to men year olds)
SNV Rwanda

20. Towards MDG 3 (cont)
MINECOFIN (To ensure a gender responsive budget and incorporation of gender issues in the planned activities of the Government of Rwanda)
MINIJUST (To eliminate gender discrimination in law, the family, property rights, violence against women)
MINISANTE (To reduce infant and maternal mortality rates, HIV/AIDS)
MINAGRIC (To empower women and men in modern agricultural and livestock technology
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21. Towards MDG 3 (cont)
MINALOC (To encourage women & men to access administrative and leadership positions and integrate gender in decentralisation process)
MIFOTRA (To enhance men’s and women’s rights and opportunities in the work sphere)
National Police (To sensitise police officers on violence against women)
SNV Rwanda

22. Towards MDG 3 (cont) Support for women entrepreneurs
Increase the share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector
Ensure gender equity in employment
Change the social perception of women in the work sphere
Encourage the participation of women in the labour market by a proper working environment and facilities for women
SNV Rwanda

23. Rwanda
Women in Rwanda are subjected to various forms of violence because existing gender relations invariably place them in a subordinate position in the socioeconomic, legal and cultural context.
Although the Rwanda Constitution guarantees equality before the law and equal protection under the law for all citizens, the principle is often ignored with respect to women’s rights.
SNV Rwanda

24. Rwanda Challenge
In a country like Rwanda where poverty is acute, there is the need for the full cooperation of both men and women in all spheres of life.
This is the challenge that Rwanda faces to assist people to learn, to cooperate, to respect each other, to build together their country.
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25. But what is
happening in other
parts of the world
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26. Man of the Year Awards for Gender Discrimination 3rd Place goes to:  Albania
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27. 2nd Place goes to: Serbia
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28. And the Winner of the year is Ireland!
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29. Gender is about Men and Women
When we talk about gender, we often talk more about women to ensure the positive changes needed in our society.
Gender is a human issue, which deals with both women and men
Gender is often overlooked as an aspect of men’s identity.
Cultural norms and practices about ‘masculinity’ and expectations of men as leaders, husbands and sons (gender) are important in shaping the demands on men and their behavior.
SNV Rwanda

30. The Role of Men in Achieving Gender Equality
Equality implies changes for both men and women
More equal relationships will need to be based on a redefinition of the rights & responsibilities of women and men in all spheres - family, community, workplace and society
Men and women participate as partners in the process of a more gender-equal society.
SNV Rwanda

31. Possible Rotoract Projects
Opportunity for comparative research between countries
Sex-disaggregated data collection
- numbers of women and men in decision-making committees and management, teaching, service staff positions
- numbers of male and female students men in different faculties
- Gender analysis of budget allocations
Gender analysis of research and publications, curriculum and materials, and organisational rules, regulations and procedures for gender sensitivity
SNV Rwanda

32. Rotoract Projects (cont)
Development of university policies on gender, sexual harassment, human resources – recruitment, promotion, training
Development of gender equity policies for women in law, engineering etc, women in management
Developing gender-friendly culture, practices and physical infrastructure in universities, e.g. accommodation, sanitation
SNV Rwanda

33. Education Projects at School Level.
Informing and motivating girls to pursue careers
in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
SNV Rwanda

34. Rotoract Projects (cont)
Study on violence in the universities and implementing strategies to reduce it
Peer education programs on gender for students, community
Analysis of men’s and women’s working days
SNV Rwanda

35. Women’s Double Day
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36. Rotoract Projects (cont)
HIV/AIDS and gender, empowering women in relationships and promoting more gender-equitable norms and behaviors among young men as an HIV/AIDS prevention strategy
interactive group education sessions, and community-wide social- marketing campaigns promoting condom use and gender-equity messages
SNV Rwanda