The third cohort of eleven private companies and one public institution was, on 10th May 2024, awarded with gold, silver and bronze gender equality seal for their outstanding achievements in promoting gender equality and accountability in their business and at their workplace.

The awarded companies participate in a joint programme "Gender Equality Seal Certification programme" implemented by the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) and the Private Sector Federation in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) , the United Nations Programme for Promotion of gender equality and women empowerment (UN Women) and USAID two project funded USAID Feed the Future Kungahara wagura Amasoko and USAID Feed the Future Hanga Akazi.

"We are thrilled to recognize institutions for their exceptional commitment to advancing gender equality in the workplace. Their dedication highlights the significance of gender equality as both a moral imperative and a driver of business success. We foresee a future with more inclusive and equitable workplaces across the public and private sectors" said Chief Gender Monitor Ms UMUTONI Gatsinzi Nadine in her remarks

The gender equality seal certification programme was initiated in 2017 to support private sector companies to promote gender equality and accountability through their businesses, procedures and processes. Government institutions were also included in the programme to promote gender accountability within those institutions.

The Gold awardee companies and institutions are The New Times, Vivo Energy Rwanda, Kitabi Tea Company, Rwanda Inter-link Transport Company Ltd (RITCO), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Akagera Coffee Project and Masaka Farm. They were awarded Gold Seal for their outstanding achievements registered in promoting gender equality at the workplace. The Silver awarded companies are Nyamurinda Coffee Growers and Afri-Foods Ltd. They registered remarkable achievements in promoting gender equality at the workplace. The third certified category is Bronze which was awarded to 000 Hills Products Rwanda, Tropi Wanda na Virunga Biotech.

The achievements registered by both private companies and public institutions include the establishment of breastfeeding rooms at the workplace, increasing the number of females in male-dominated jobs, establishing gender and mainstreaming committees, establishing gender equality and accountability police and increasing the number of females in decision-making positions as a key performance indicator (KPIs). Companies were also commended for establishing childcare facilities, putting in place sexual harassment policies and reducing gender pay gaps.

Besides the awarded companies, the 5th cohort comprised of eight private companies were also recognized and given certificates for their commitment and progress in promoting gender accountability.

The recognized Private companies Aviation Travel and Logistics Ltd, Stafford Coffee Breweries, King Faysal Hospital, Silverback Tea Company Ltd, The Wood Foundation Africa, Aux Delices Honey Ltd and Proxi Fresh Rwanda Ltd.

The above companies and public institutions have gone through gender self-assessments, developed their action plans and started implementing them to address identified gender gaps.

About the Gender Equality Seal Certification Program

Gender Equality Seal (GES) is a program being implemented by GMO in collaboration with PSF with support from UNDP and UN Women. It works towards eliminating gender inequalities in the workplace and businesses, while at the same time improving the lives of all employees and their families. So far GES has been implemented in big companies in Rwanda (Eg: BK, MTN,) and it has proven to increase opportunities to offer equal opportunities.