The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation in Rwanda

Rights holders Kevine and Justine are participants in the programme "My Voice, My Right". Photo: Gloria Powell

Kvinna till Kvinna has supported women’s rights in Rwanda since 2017. Rwanda has the world’s highest percentage of women in parliament, and there are strong laws to protect women’s rights. At the same time, norms and traditions still hold women back.

Together with partners, we focus on preventing and responding to gender-based violence, promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, supporting conflict resolution, and promoting women’s participation in decision-making. Kvinna till Kvinna also supports networking, cooperation and shared learning between women’s rights actors from different parts of society.

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Participants in Rwanda Women's Networks programme. Photo: Gloria Powell

Why we work in Rwanda

Since the genocide against Tutsis in 1994, efforts have been made to strengthen women’s rights. Unfortunately, women still face challenges such as:

  • teenage pregnancies
  • gender-based violence
  • lack of economic gender justice
  • embedded patriarchal structures which reinforces gender inequalities
  • lack of meaningful participation.

 

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Results

From 2021 to 2023 our Dufatanye programme has had the following results:

  • 13,000 women and men have learned about gender-based policy and legislation and/or underlying norms promoting sexual gender-based violence.
  • 8,500 girls and boys have received direct access to information about SRHR.
  • Close to 2,500 women and girls acquired knowledge and skills to actively engage in economic decision-making.
  • Over 1,700 women gained knowledge and skills in leadership, participating in decision-making spaces, and building self-confidence.
Janneti, participant in Empower Rwanda's programme for teen mothers, and her daughter. Photo: Gloria Powell

How we support women in Rwanda

Together with our partner organisations in Rwanda, we:

  • advocate for gender-based violence prevention and support direct survivors of abuse with legal and psychosocial support.
  • promote young women’s bodily autonomy and ownership of sexual and reproductive health choices.
  • promote women’s participation in local politics, peace and conflict resolution processes and the labour market and empower rural women by promoting their leadership, self-advocacy, and financial inclusion.
  • support women with disabilities and advocate for their rights.
Ninette Umurerwa, lawyer and the national executive secretary at Haguruka. Photo: Gloria Powell

Our partner organisations in Rwanda

  • Afro Ark
  • Association of Kigali Women in Sport (AKWOS)
  • Certa Foundation
  • Empower Rwanda
  • Family Circle Love Labs Organisation
  • Feminist Action Development Ambition
  • Haguruka
  • Hope for Single Mothers with Disability
  • Impanuro Girls Initiative
  • Our Sister’s Opportunity
  • Paper Crown Rwanda
  • Rwanda National Association of Deaf Women
  • Rwanda Women’s Network (RWN)
  • Save Generation Organisation (SGO)
  • Strive For Inclusion

Publications

Maputo Protocol Shadow Reports

News about our work in Rwanda

Last updated or reviewed 2 September 2024