Kigali, Rwanda, 20th February 2026, The Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) and the Legal Aid Forum (LAF) have officially signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening access to justice and reinforcing gender accountability in Rwanda.

The MoU was signed  by Mrs. Umutoni Gatsinzi Nadine, Chief Gender Monitor, and Me Andrews Kananga, Executive Director of LAF, marking a significant step forward in enhancing legal protection and support services for victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), child abuse, and human trafficking.

The signing of this MoU took place at the Gender Monitoring Office head office

Advancing Gender Accountability Through Legal Support
The partnership establishes a structured framework for collaboration between the two institutions to improve legal service delivery for vulnerable populations. It reinforces Rwanda’s commitment to gender equality, rule of law, and protection of human rights.
Through this collaboration, GMO and LAF will work together to ensure that victims of GBV and related injustices receive timely, professional, and effective legal assistance.

Key Areas of Collaboration
Under this MoU, the two institutions will:
•Strengthen referral pathways for GBV, child abuse, and human trafficking cases requiring legal intervention
•Increase legal awareness and education on rights and available services
•Conduct joint advocacy initiatives to promote a conducive legal environment for gender accountability
•Share gender-disaggregated data to enhance evidence-based decision-making
•Collaborate in legal assessments of laws and policies impacting vulnerable groups
•Support reintegration and follow-up of survivors receiving legal aid
The partnership also emphasizes transparency, integrity, equity, and accountability as guiding values in all joint interventions.
A Shared Commitment to Justice and Equality
By combining GMO’s mandate of monitoring gender mainstreaming and combating GBV with LAF’s extensive network of 38 legal aid service providers across Rwanda, the partnership is expected to significantly strengthen access to justice mechanisms nationwide.
The MoU will be implemented through concrete annual action plans and coordinated initiatives at both national and decentralized levels. It will remain in effect for five years, with the possibility of renewal upon mutual agreement.
This strategic alliance reflects a shared vision of a Rwanda where gender equality is upheld, vulnerable groups are protected, and justice is accessible to all.

ABOUT RAF
The Legal Aid Forum (LAF) is Rwanda’s leading non-state provider of legal aid services. Established in 2006, We operate as a membership-based network comprising 38 national and international NGOs, professional associations, universities, legal aid clinics, and faith-based organizations.
We are dedicated to improving access to justice for indigent and vulnerable communities through the delivery of high-quality legal aid services. To ensure these services reach those who need them most, we implement a range of legal empowerment strategies, including mobile legal aid clinics, mass legal awareness activities in communities, and a dedicated legal aid call center.
ABOUT GMO
Gender Monitoring Office is a government institution established by the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, as outlined in Article 140, GMO’s mission is to effectively monitor gender mainstreaming and fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and related injustices to achieve gender equality in Rwanda, as it is stated in Article 6 of Law No. 51/2007 of 20/09/2007 determining the responsibilities, organization, and functioning of the Gender Monitoring Office in Rwanda