A Critical Appraisal on the Role of Gender Equality for Economic Growth of Rwanda Since 1995 up to 2023

Abstract

New millennium has integrated gender equality concept as a pillar of sustainable development and African Union agenda 20230 and 2063 in regional integration schemes. This means that the exclusion of women and men issues from national policies and development agendas would lead to the income inequality, unequal share of resources and vicious cycle of poverty. The purpose of this research is to assess the role of gender equality on economic growth in Africa and it was carried out in Rwanda as a case with the following objectives to assess the impacts of gender equality on economic growth of Rwanda, to analyze challenges of gender equality in Rwanda and to asses different policies taken by government of Rwanda to promote gender equality in Rwanda. This study only used secondary data to assess the impacts of gender on development of Rwanda. The data reviewed from different books, journals. Newspapers, articles and other research papers were reviewed about gender and economic growth. As the findings revealed, there is close relationship between gender equality and economic growth. For instance, gender equality increase labor force, it leads to reduction of maternal health, it increase national income and it promote human rights. In addition to that, this study also found that government of Rwanda has brought different policies that lead to the gender equalities. Those policies include establishment of gender monitoring office, ministry of gender and family promotion, national women council and council for parliamentarian’s women. In addition, government has adopted different policies for gender equality and women empowerment. They are related to the inheritance, business, educational and discrimination in society. In collaboration with other development partners, Rwanda has become champion in promoting gender equality. However, this study also found that there are still found some challenges about gender equality and women empowerment. Those include, low education, lack of information, low resources and traditional norms that challenges women to participate full from society development. Therefore, the government should be working on the women’s empowerment, processes of gender mainstreaming and analysis of institutions and revision of some laws and policies.

Keywords: Gender equality and mainstreaming; Economic growth, Sustainable development

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/13-9-03

Publication date:May 31^st 2023