What is the origin of the GENDER project?
This is a project that came from the initiative of the International Labour Organization, that was in 2003, launched a Partnership Fund for the Promotion of the Equality between MEN and WOMEN so as to support the implementation of this common objective of equality. In a total of 13 projects divided between 25 countries, from which 5 are from Africa. Rwanda was eligible on this initiative with a cause mainly of considerable headways which it realized was in particular the strong representation of women in the decision-making processes. The Gender Project was officially launched on the 27th April 2005 in the conference room of RIAM/MUHIMA in the presence of the Director of the Sub Regional Office of the ILO for Central Africa Ms Alice OUEDRAOGO and the former Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Service Ms Charlotte MUKANKUSI.

What is the aim of the Project?
The Project aims to integrate and promote the gender approach in the Labour environment (Public Service, Employer organizations, Employees Organizations, civil society and etc…) as an efficient strategy to fight against poverty.

Who are the partners of the Project ?
- The Government:
- Ministry of Public Service and Labour
- Ministry in the Prime Ministers Office in charge of gender and family Promotion
- Forum for Rwandan Women Parliamentarians
- Rwandan Women Employees organizations
- Rwandan Workers Association
- National Council of Free Unions
- Workers association of Christians
- Labour and Fraternity Congress
- Association for the Promotion of employed Women
- Rwanda Private Sector federation
- Association of Rwandan Women Entrepreneurs
- Forum for the Handicapped
- International Organisations (UNIFEM, UNDP, Canadian cooperation, NGO’s, etc…)

The Project activities
- Capacity Building for way through training
- Studies for good knowledge on the situation of gender equality in the labour environment
- Sensitization on the promotion of the Gender approach through meetings, radio
  broadcasts, leaflets, videos, CD-ROMs, and etc…;

The operation of the project
The coordination of the activities is ensured by the National focal Point, Mr RUTABAGAYA Eugene, and piloting is ensured by a committee comprising of the representatives of the principal partner organizations of the project. The evaluation falls within the competence of the ILO.