Objectives:
1. Meaningful and increased participation of women at decision-making levels in all institutions and mechanisms of governance, in particular at local levels.
- Increased and influence of women in local governance institutions mechanisms;
- Increased participation and influence of women at strategic levels in the forces (defence, police and correctional services);
- Mechanisms for women’s participation in economic structures are strengthened.
2. Prevention of violence against women and involvement in conflict prevention.
- Increased public awareness on GBV issues;
- Improved accountability mechanisms for GBV at the local level;
- Gender responsive early warning and conflict prevention mechanisms established.
3. Effective and operational Isange One Stop Centres across the country that provide free and comprehensive services to SGBV victims.
- Improved capacity of the legal/justice sector in the management of sexual violence cases;
- Increased accountability of IOSCs in providing timely and comprehensive services.
4. Increased accountability for gender in humanitarian assistance including disarmament and demobilization programs and economic reconstruction efforts in Rwanda.
- Functional mechanisms for relief, recovery and rehabilitation of women refugees in Rwanda;
- Gender integrated programs for inclusion and participation of women in humanitarian, early recovery, relief and peace building programs are established
- Reinforce response mechanisms and structures for women's access to socioeconomic services and rights.
5. Women’s promotion and gender mainstreaming in Rwanda’s foreign service and international and regional cooperation.
- Institutional capacity is strengthened to ensure that commitments to UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions are incorporated and acted upon
- Inclusion and active engagement of women in regional and international mechanisms and forums for conflict prevention, management and peace building
- Strengthened responsiveness of Rwandan forces to address SGBV.
- Research and documentation carried out to understand the needs of women and girls within the WPS agenda.
Commentary:
Despite leading the world in women’s participation in government with 61% of its parliament composed of women, the Rwandan NAP recognizes there is still work to be done in ensuring women’s participation in security at all levels. This NAP, covering 2018-2022, is explicit in calling for women’s participation in security forces and in decision-making roles in the leadership of these forces, especially detailed in the 2nd Pillar of the plan. The NAP also recognizes the gap between its progressive gender statistics in leadership and in the needs of vulnerable populations, including among refugee communities and in regional conflicts that spillover into Rwanda. This NAP builds on impressive existing frameworks to respond to violence against women, especially leaning on their nationwide Isange One Stop Centres to provide healthcare and psychosocial support. It also understands the relationship between development and conflict, and it calls for attention to women’s ability to access resources and participate equally in the formal economy. While the plan is specific about its measurable targets and identities key agencies to address each pillar, it lacks details about funding these implementation mechanisms.
Civil Society: The Rwanda NAP is well-placed within both UN and regional (African Union) WPS efforts, recognizing the need to work with international civil society. Similarly, the document recognizes the need to work with domestic civil society organizations, especially via healthcare provision for survivors of sexual violence and in distributing humanitarian aid. However, the LSE WPS Centre reports that there was limited consultation with civil society groups prior to publishing the NAP.
Peacekeeping Statistics:
Police: 186 out of 972
Staff Officers: 4 out of 75
Experts on Mission: 7 out of 34
Troops: 212 out of 5211
References:
https://www.wpsnaps.org/app/uploads/2019/09/Rwanda-NAP-2-2018-2022.pdf
https://www.wpsnaps.org/nap/rwandan-national-action-plan-ii/
