Rwanda has launched its first ever National Gender Standards, a collaborative effort led by the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), the Private Sector Federation (PSF), and the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), with support from the United Nations Development Programme and UN Women. The initiative provides organisations with guidance and best practices for adopting gender‑sensitive policies and practices in their workplaces, aiming to promote inclusivity and equity across all sectors of society and to expand opportunities for every parent, child, and family to thrive.
“Building a better world requires the participation of everyone, equally,” said Raymond Murenzi, Director General of RSB, during an event at the Kigali Serena Hotel on Thursday, March 30. He emphasized that promoting gender equality is a cornerstone of inclusive, sustainable development and that standards serve as benchmarks for safeguarding the quality and safety of people, products, and services. On the same occasion, the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) unveiled its gender strategy, which Governor John Rwangombwa said will enable organisations to better reflect the diversity of their customers and clients, leading to increased business success.
Nine companies and public institutions were recognised with the Gender Equality Seal Certification Award for excelling in creating gender‑equal working environments. Recipients included the National Bank of Rwanda, National Industrial Research and Development Agency, Ministry of Trade and Industry, CIMERWA Plc, INKOMOKO, SINA GERARD Enterprise (Nyirangarama), NCBA Bank, Mata Tea Company, Rwanda Energy Group (REG), Legacy Clinics, and Kitabi Tea Company. These organisations received a gold certification from the Gender Monitoring Office of the Government of Rwanda, a prestigious recognition awarded to institutions that demonstrate a strong commitment to gender equality through their policies, practices, and culture.
Rose Rwabuhigi, head of the Gender Monitoring Office, praised the certified organisations, stating that they have shown “gender equality is not only a moral imperative but also a business imperative.” She added that with the newly launched standards, she is optimistic about achieving more inclusive and equitable workplaces. The National Gender Standards will be available to all institutions, regardless of size or sector, and will be enforced by the RSB. They will complement the Gender Mainstreaming Strategy for financial institutions launched by the National Bank of Rwanda and the entrepreneurship desk run by the Gender Chamber at the PSF.
Jeanne Mubiligi, Acting Chairperson of the PSF, noted that the country cannot achieve its socio‑economic goals with a male‑dominated private sector alone, pledging continued efforts to make gender promotion in the private sector a reality. The programme supports selected institutions in establishing gender‑accountability systems through the Gender Equality Seal (GES) certification for private‑sector companies and the Gender Equality Award (GEA) for public institutions that work closely with the private sector.
Maxwell Gomera, Head of UNDP in Rwanda, affirmed that achieving a gender‑equal society is within reach. “Together we can create a world in which every parent, every child, and every family has an opportunity to flourish. It starts with agreeing on common standards of conduct that we can all aspire to,” he said. The adoption and implementation of gender standards in workplaces are expected to improve employee morale, increase productivity and creativity, and enhance institutions’ reputation and brand image.
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