Kigali, Rwanda – May 10, 2024 - The Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) and the Private Sector Federation (PSF), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) host a Gender Equality Seal (GES) certification and recognition event.

Nineteen (19) companies received awards for excelling in promoting gender equality and creating gender-responsive work environments. Seven of them have attained the gold seal certification, two awarded the silver award, and three, the bronze award. Seven of the nineteen companies have been recognised for adopting the GES processes and procedures.

Participating companies go through a self-assessment exercise to identify good practices as well as gaps limiting gender equality across the organization. To address the gaps, the companies develop action plans as a commitment for promoting a gender responsive workplace. Successful implementation of the action plans leads to their certification depending on the level of excellence by the company.

“Promoting gender equality in the workplace is not only the right thing to do, but it also drives better business performance. We're proud to recognize these leading organizations for taking concrete actions to bridge gender gaps and promote a more inclusive culture," said Mr. Ozzonia Ojielo, the Resident Coordinator, United Nations Rwanda. 

The event also aims to raise awareness about the private sector's crucial role in advancing gender equality while motivating more companies to prioritize gender-responsive policies and initiatives.

The novel National Gender Standard

The Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) is establishing a new certification scheme based on the newly developed Gender Equality standard, RS 560:2023. This certification is the first of its kind in Africa, and is an important step forward for promoting equality between men and women in all sectors across Rwanda. This historic initiative represents a milestone in Rwanda's journey toward institutionalizing gender parity across all sectors.

“We appreciate the good efforts between all actors we are working with to promote and mainstream gender equality through standardization in Rwanda. The Gender Seal Certification programme by GMO and partners was an outstanding pillar to build on and move forward to ensure the sustainability of the achievements through the development of the Gender Equality Standard and its implementing tools such as the certification scheme. Beyond that, the global standardizing community commended Rwanda’s efforts in this regard, and requested RSB to embark on the journey to make the developed standard relevant at continental and international levels; which we are doing.” Remarked Raymond Murenzi, Director Generalof Rwanda Standards Board.

The new equality standard was unveiled in 2023 and is in the process of being publicised by the Government of Rwanda in partnership with UNDP, GMO, RSB, and other certified stakeholders. The standard intends to raise awareness, ensuring that all women and men in Rwanda know about the importance of promoting gender equality in their working environment.

Companies and public institutions that were recognised and awarded include ATL and Akagera Aviation, Four Points by Sheraton, Stafford Coffee Breweries, King Faisal Hospital, Silverback Tea Company Limited, Wood Foundation Africa, Aux Delices Honey Ltd, The New Times Publications Limited, Vivo Energy Rwanda, Kitabi Tea Company Limited, Rwanda Inter-link Transport Company Ltd (Ritco), Rwanda Developing Board, Akagera Coffee Project (SME), Masaka Farms Ltd (SME), Nyamurinda Coffee Growers Ltd, Afri-Foods Ltd, 1000 Hills Products Rwanda Ltd (SME), Tropi Wanda Ltd (SME), and Virunga Biotech Ltd (SME).