Monitoring the Respect of Gender Equality

1.Introduction 

Monitoring the respect of gender equality is one of the main mandates of Gender Monitoring Office. The Office monitors how gender equality principles are respected at all levels of governmental, private, non-governmental and religious institutions. 

The Gender Monitoring Office also monitors how the national gender policy is implemented in all spheres of national development. 

Gender Monitoring Office also monitors the domestication, implementation and reporting on all regional and international gender commitments that Rwanda has ratified. 

2. How we do It  

To ensure the effective monitoring of the respect of gender equality in all sectors, gender mainstreaming across all sectors, the Gender Monitoring Office uses different approaches including the following:

        2.1. Establishment of Mechanisms for Measurement 

  • Development of Gender Indicators and Baseline   
  • Development of National gender Monitoring and Evaluation Framework 
  • Development of Gender Statistical Framework 

       2.2.Conduct Gender Auditing and Assessment 

  • Conducting participatory Gender Auditing 
  • Conducting GBS implementation assessments 

       2.3.Generation of Data for Evidence Based Advocacy 

  • Analysis of laws, policies and strategies 
  • Research and dissemination of Findings              
  • Production of Gender Profiles 
  • Elaboration of policy briefs and concrete issue papers 

3. Main Achievements in Monitoring Gender Mainstreaming 

In the framework of delivering on its mandate of monitoring the respect of Gender Equality at all levels, different accomplishments have been realized over the years including the following: 

a.Strategic Positioning of Gender Accountability: The Gender Monitoring Office has engaged with different public, private, civil society as well as religious based organizations to increase their level of understanding and accountability on gender equality principles.

b.Gender Profiles: GMO produced gender profiles for 25 Districts and Development Sectors including Infrastructure, Agriculture, Access to Finance, Job Creation, Social Protection, Governance and Security and Information and Communication Technology. The profiles document the progress made in regard to promotion of gender equality in the sectors, best practices and existing gaps for decision making, evidence based advocacy and effective programming.

c.Strong Partnership with Public, Private and CSOs: The Gender Monitoring Office has forged partnership with different institutions from Government, Private and Civil Society Organizations which resulted into tangible outcomes including joint planning and monitoring, and common voice for advocacy towards promotion of gender accountability at all levels.

d.Strategic Support in the Review of Laws and Policies: GMO provided technical support for the review of different legal frameworks including Penal Code, Girls’ Education Policy, Law Governing Persons and Family, Law Establishing and Governing Maternity Leave benefits Scheme, Law Governing Matrimonial Regimes, Donations and Successions, Law Regulating Labor in Rwanda, Law Instituting Gender Responsive Budgeting, and so many others to ensure their gender responsiveness.