Rwanda reaffirmed its global leadership in advancing gender equality through technology and innovation during the fourth Generation Equality Forum (GEF) Stakeholders Roundtable held this week in Kigali.
More than 50 representatives from government, civil society, the private sector, and development organizations gathered at the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) to assess progress on national gender commitments and strengthen partnerships.
Co-led by MIGEPROF and UN Women Rwanda, the roundtable marked a midpoint in the country’s five-year journey toward fulfilling pledges made during the 2021 Generation Equality Forum in Paris. Rwanda serves as co-lead of the GEF Action Coalition on Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality.
The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolée Uwimana highlighted significant progress, including a rise in girls’ enrollment in STEM education from 44.7% in 2021 to 48.6% in 2024. Mobile phone ownership among women-led households also increased from 54.4% to 74%.
“These are not just statistics, they are stories of transformation,” Uwimana said. “Let’s show what is possible when leadership and partnerships drive real change.”
Presentations from ministries showcased advances in broadband connectivity, digital financial inclusion, and the participation of women in e-commerce. The Ministry of Education reported positive outcomes from initiatives like the African Girls Can Code Initiative.
UN Women Country Representative Jennet Kem praised Rwanda’s inclusive and results-driven coordination model. “Rwanda’s efforts demonstrate what effective implementation and accountability look like,” she said.
Joining virtually, Hélène Molinier, UN Women’s digital gender cooperation advisor, commended Rwanda’s progress in institutionalizing its commitments. Globally, the GEF initiative has mobilized over $40 billion in financial pledges and more than 2,500 policy commitments, she said.
Participants called for stronger documentation of gender and digital initiatives and emphasized the need to expand grassroots efforts, particularly to close gender gaps in STEM education and combat technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
MIGEPROF Director General Silas Ngayaboshya closed the session by reinforcing Rwanda’s commitment. “Our pledges are not mere aspirations,” he said. “They are transformative promises to ensure no woman or girl is left behind.”
The forum underlined Rwanda’s continued role as a regional and global leader in harnessing innovation to promote gender equality.
