Kigali, 28th January 2025, The Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Action des Églises Évangéliques pour la Promotion de la Santé et Développement (AESD) to enhance accountability for gender equality and improve service delivery for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) victims.

Dr , Bunini Gahungu (left) and Umutoni Gatsinzi Nadine (right) during  the signing of the MoU 

The partnership aims to strengthen gender equality within evangelical churches and enhance the prevention and response mechanisms for GBV survivors. Through this MoU, both institutions will collaborate to integrate gender accountability frameworks within faith-based communities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing gender-related challenges at the grassroots level.
 

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Chief Gender Monitor emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in advancing gender equality. “Achieving gender equality requires joint efforts from all stakeholders, including faith-based organizations like AESD, whose work directly impacts communities at the grassroots level,” she noted.

Dr. Bunini Gahungu, Executive Director of AESD Rwanda, reaffirmed the organization's dedication to promoting gender equality within evangelical churches. “Partnering with the Gender Monitoring Office reflects our unwavering commitment to empowering communities and ensuring that gender equality is implemented at all levels, including churches,” he stated.
This partnership aligns with Rwanda’s broader gender policies and efforts to combat GBV by strengthening institutional accountability and improving access to support services. The MoU will facilitate training programs, awareness campaigns, and policy implementation strategies aimed at fostering a gender-inclusive society.

ABOUT AESD 
Action des Églises Évangéliques pour la Promotion de la Santé et Développement  is a Christian faith-based organization in Rwanda dedicated to holistic development by addressing the spiritual, physical, and social needs of communities. With a vision of empowering Rwandan communities to take the lead in health and development, AESD works through churches and strategic partnerships to uplift the poor and vulnerable. The organization provides platforms for knowledge sharing, fellowship, and advocacy while focusing on key areas such as economic empowerment, gender equality, child rights, GBV prevention, HIV/AIDS awareness, and water sanitation. AESD operates across Rwanda, prioritizing low-income areas and collaborating with churches to reach the most vulnerable. Through self-help groups, the organization promotes financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods. Backed by a qualified team, AESD strengthens its impact through extensive staff training in project management, behavior change, and advocacy, supported by well-established policies and a digital financial system using QuickBooks

ABOUT GMO
The Government of Rwanda established the Gender Monitoring Office through the Constitution of 2023, with a mandate to monitor the respect of Gender Equality principles, promote gender accountability at all levels and fight against Gender-Based Violence and related injustices.
Affiliated to the Office of the Prime Minister, the Gender Monitoring Office is established by the law No 51/2007 0f 20/09/2007 which determines its responsibilities, organization and functioning.