Rwanda Men`s Resource Centre

KIRENGA Clement Biography

2011-10-23T04:30:00.000-07:00

Clement KIRENGA
Capacity building officer
RWAMREC

Clement KIRENGA Joined RWAMREC in October 2011 as Capacity Building Officer

Previously, Clement worked for DFID-UK funded Research Into Use (RIU) since July 2008 until July 2011 as National Monitoring and Learning Coordinator until September 2009 when he was appointed Programme Monitoring and Communications Officer.

Clement worked as Advisor in Leadership and Community Mobilization for the Good Governance, Decentralization and Community Development Project implemented by International Rescue Committee (IRC) and funded by USAID (2000 – 2003); he worked for Rwanda Electoral Commission as Deputy Provincial Coordinator and in charge of Legal affairs in 2003; and he held the position of Director General/Law Journalist at USAID supported Rwanda's first Community Radio IZUBA from 2004 to 2006. He then joined Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning as Sector Monitoring and Evaluation specialist for Water and Sanitation Sector in charge of The Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) from 2006 to 2008. He worked on various consultancies including Mid Term Review of DFID supported Rwanda government Land Tenure regularization Program (2011); registration of WaterAid in Rwanda (2010) and many more others. He co-founded the Great Lakes Broadcasters' Association (Rwanda, Burundi and DRC) in 2005; Founder of Rwanda Broadcasters Association in 2004; a member of Rwanda Law Society; Founder of Rwanda Network of Planners.

Clement's diverse and rich expertise is Policy/Programme/Project Management; Monitoring and Evaluation and Mass media Communications for Development. He also has a born talent of fine arts (drawings).

Education
Clement holds a Bachelor of Legal Laws from National University of Rwanda (1995-1999) with trainings in Project Management, Integrated Water Resources Management; Decentralization and Community Development.

Contact
• Email kirengaclems@rwamrec.org or kirengaclems@yahoo.com
• Mobile: (250) 788453787

Kwakira kanditatire z’abakorerea bushake mu mwaka wa 2011

2011-02-25T00:19:00.000-08:00

Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC), National Volunteering Program (NVP)

Porogaramu y’ubakorera bushake muri RWAMREC irahamagarira buri wese kuyitabira no kuzuza impapuro zabigenewe guhera tariki ya 1/03/2011 kugeza kuya 31/05/ 2011.

RWAMREC n’umuryango w’abagabo ugamije gushishikariza abagabo gushyigikira ingamba zinyuranye z’abari n’abategarogore zigamije iterambere ryabo, kugira uruhare rugaragara mu guca ihohotera abagabo bakorera abana n’abagore, no guteza imbere myitwarire y’abagabo kugira ngo babe intanga rugero mu guca ihohotera mu miryango nyarwanda.

Porogaramu y’abakorerabushake ya RWAMREC izaba urwego rukwiriye ruzafasha RWAMREC mu gushyira mu bikorwa izi nshingano zavuzwe hejuru, ndetse no kumenyekanisha icyerekezo n’intego rusange za RWAMREC.

Iyi programm izafata abakoreranabushake hagati ya 20 na 50 muri 2011 bazaba bashinzwe imwe cyangwa myinshi mu myanya ikurikira:
- Umufasha mu byubuyobozi
- Abakangurambaga mu by’ubuzima n’uburezi
- Abajyanama mu by’ubuzima n’ihungabana
- Abaditsi n’abanyamabanga
- Abandika no gushyira amakuru kuri urubuga rwa internet ya RWAMREC
- Abategura no gutanga ibiganiro
- Abatanga ibiganiro mbwirwa-ruhame
- Abatanga amahugurwa

Muri rusange, abakorerabushake bazashyirwa mu matsinda ahoraho, hakurikijwe urwego n’ubumenyi bwa buri wese bazajya bahabwa imirimo hakurikijwe ubumenyi bwa buri wese mu guteza imbere uburingamire n’iterambere mu Rwanda.

Kubakorerabushake bazababa bahawe imirimo, RWAMREC izajya intaga agahimbazamusyi, ibikoresho byagenewe umukorerabushake, gufashwa mu bijyanye na “Logistics”, guhabwa ubumenyi mu kwandika imyirondoro, kugirwa inama amahugurwa ku buryo bwo gusaba akazi, gutegura ibiganiro mbwirwa-ruhame, gushimirwa mu ruhame, n’ubundi buryo bunyuranye RWAMREC yakoresha mu kubashimira.

Abakoranabushake bazafatanya na RWAMREC muri gahunda y' ubukangurambaga ku rwego rw' I gihugu hagamijwe guteza imbere ubwuzuzanye hagati y’ibitsina byombi; gukangurira abagabo n’abasore gukumira ihohoterwa rikorerwa abari n’abategarugori no guhindura imyumvire y' abagabo hagamijwe ko baba Abagabo b' inyangamugayo bityo bakubaka umuryango nyarwanda uzira akarengane n’ihohotera. Kanda hano wuzuze usaba kuba umukorerabushake (available as a fillable .pdf form).

Umuntu wese ufite imyaka cyangwa urengeje imyaka 21 wifuza kuaba umukorera bushake agomba kuzuza foromileri yabigenewe. Abazaba batoranijwe bazakora ibizamini by’ijonjora ku nshuro ya mbere nyuma bakazakora ikizamini cya kabiri, Abatsinze kabakazahamagarwa mu mahugurwa, yo gutoranyamo abazahabwa imirimo y’ubukorerabushake.

Nyuma y’amahugurwa n’isesengura ku bushobozi bwa buri wese, nibwo hazashyirwa kumugaragaro abakoranabushake biyi gahunda izamara umwaka umwe. Mu gihe cyiri jonjora, ntabazemererwa guhindura imyirondoro baba baratanze basaba kuba abakorerabushake.

Gahunda y’abakoranabushake igomba gutangira muri Werurwe 2011 aribwo amabwiriza yose azaba aboneka kurubuga rwa Internet ya RWAMREC www.rwamrec.org ku cyicaro gikuru cya RWAMREC Avenue de la Justice Nyamirambo- Etage ya bere munzu ya Profemme.

Mukeneye ibindi bisobanuro mwahamagara kuri 0255116121 na 0255116024 cyangwa
mukatwandikira kuri email comenetia@rwamrec.org

The 2011 Call for Applications Cycle 1 RWAMREC National Volunteering Program (NVP)

2011-02-20T15:09:00.000-08:00

RWAMREC NVP is requesting national volunteer applications in 2011, the inaugural invitation cycle. The window for receiving applications is from March 1, 2011 to July 31, 2011. For more details, click here.

Articles on 16 days of activism from Africa

2011-01-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

Cameroon: 16 Days of Activism

Zambia

25 November, Lusaka – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) staff joined colleagues from the Gender in Development Division (GIDD) to march down the streets of Lusaka to kick off the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Zambia on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The UNDP Country Director Ms Viola Morgan joined the Minister of Gender and Women’s Development Hon. Sarah Sayifwanda, MP, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre to raise awareness about the physical, sexual, economic, psychological and social-cultural forms of gender based violence that many women are still subjected to in Zambiambia. More

Rwanda
1. GBV cases on the decline: Joint efforts by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, the National Police and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in fighting Gender Based Violence (GBV) are bearing fruit with the number of cases drastically going down.More

2. RWAMREC moblises Karate clubs during the 16 days of activism. More.
3.Actionaid courts everyone’s responsibility in fighting Gender Violence.

4.Grbavica" Film Screening and discussion as part of the US Embassy's commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Combating Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Harnessing the media during 16 days of activism

South Africa
Don't look away: act against abuse

Democratic Republic of Congo

RWAMREC during the 16 days of activism

2011-01-08T13:12:00.000-08:00

From 25 November to 10 December 2010, RWAMREC participated in the 16 Days activities organized by the Rwanda Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion and the National Women’s Council. The following activities were carried out:
1. Public events: The national commemoration took place in Mukamira, Nyabihu District in the Western province on 25 November 2010. It started with public talks, discussions, followed by an official launch by the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Dr Jeanne Mujawamariya. A large number of Gender stakeholders attended the official launching and this provided an opportunity to raise awareness on the benefits of non-violence.

2. Community dialogue: During the 16 days of activism, RWAMREC organized community dialogues on healthy families in Gakenke district where 200 women and men in coffee cooperatives were reached. In 2 coffee cooperatives, couples that were violence free were identified as role models and they were used to support other families experiencing violence in coffee cooperatives.

3. Training workshops: From 25 to 10 December 2010, RWAMREC organized capacity training workshops for Gender Clubs from Higher Learning institutions including, KIST, KHI, UNATEK, AUCEA. These training focused on promoting positive masculinity in schools.

4. Youth mobilization: During the 16 days of activism, RWAMREC mobilized 200 young adolescents from Nyamata District in Musenyi Sector. Youth from HIV clubs, Gender clubs, Karate clubs were trained, mobilized on non violence and how to prevent violence against women and children in their communities.

5. Closing ceremony: on 10 December, RWAMREC joined the Ministry of Gender and other stakeholders in the closing ceremony of the 16 days of activism which took place in Gakenke District where Gender stakeholders planted trees in Gakenke district

RWAMREC staff

2011-01-02T11:43:00.000-08:00

Uwera Alice: Accountant

Samvura Oswald:Projects Coordinator

Ruzibiza Yvette:Capacity Building Officer

Niyibizi Dominique:Field Officer, Edouard Munyamaliza:Ex.Sec, Karyango Habib:DAF,
Comenetia Portia Allen:institutional Development Adviser

Butera Jean Claude:Administrative A

Fidel`s biography

2011-01-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

Fidèle Rutayisire is the Chairperson of the Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre. A lawyer by education, Fidèle is a passionate and articulate human rights activist in Rwanda. From 2000 he served as the Program officer of a Human Right organization in Rwanda (Association Rwandaise pour la defense des Droits de l`Homme, ARDHO). From 2002, he worked with the Ministry of Health as a senior legal adviser. In 2004 he joined Kigali Health Institute where he served as the senior adviser to the Vice chancellor. Late 2006, he founded the Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC) to mobilize Rwandan men to support women’s leadership, to address issues of negative masculinity, gender inequality, promotion of healthy families, women’s rights and prevention of gender-based violence, thus addressing all other related consequences including HIV/ AIDS and other health issues.

He is a gender sensitive man involved in many women’s organizations in Rwanda. He is a board member of PROFEMME TWESE HAMWE an umbrella of 56 Women’s organizations in Rwanda as well as a board member of ARDHO a Rwandan Human Rights Association as well as a member of the Governing council of the East African civil society organization forum (EACSOF) as well as a member of the Africa MenEngage Network steering committee.

Fidèle Rutayisire is a Rwandan who initiated and rallied the world to sign the petition against Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Kenya during the post-election violence held in early 2008. Fidèle lectures, leads workshops and trainings and provides consultations for organizations throughout Rwanda and many other countries in Africa.

Edouard Munyamaliza

2011-01-02T10:41:00.000-08:00

Edouard Munyamaliza holds a bachelors’ degree in arts and humanities, and has more than 14 years of experience in working with international and local non-governmental organizations in areas of policy development and advocacy, organizational capacity building, management of poverty reduction and rural development programs, promotion of human rights, gender and health promotion, conflict management and support to vulnerable people.

He worked as a human rights activist with Human Rights Organizations; Association des Voluntaires de la Paix – AVP, and then president of a Youth Association for Human Rights Promotion and Development – AJPRODHO.

Thereafter, he worked with an International organization called TROCAIRE in the position of Civil Society and Capacity Building Program Officer, before joining the USAID-DG Team as a conflict Management Advisor.

Edouard joined the Office of the First Lady and worked in the capacity of supervisor of 13 social oriented projects, of which health promotion and protection of vulnerable women and children were the main areas of focus.

He also worked with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in the Office of the Canadian High Commission in Kigali as a senior development officer in charge of the rural development portfolio, management of bilateral cooperation issues in relation to Official development Aid between the Government of Rwanda and Canada. He always ensured that gender, Youth, HIV/AIDS and environment cross-cut all CIDA development programs in Rwanda.

Edouard is one of 9 positive-minded men who founded the Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre, and is currently working as the executive secretary.

Edouard is aged 40, he is married and has one daughter.

Alice Uwera

2011-01-02T10:30:00.000-08:00

Alice Uwera is an accountant of RWAMREC. She is an experienced accountant with more than 7 years of experience in accounting. She joined RWAMREC in June 2010 and prior to join RWAMREC she was serving as Director of Finance at Inkurunziza Project.

Portia Biography

2011-01-02T10:03:00.001-08:00

Portia C. Allen, MA, serves as RWAMREC’s Institutional Development Advisor. She has worked with the RWAMREC team since October 2010. In addition to her RWAMREC duties and responsibilities, Ms. Allen leads also a research triad within Emory University’s Transforming Community Project for oral history interviews and archival investigation on Emory’s first African students. Formerly, Ms. Allen was a Program Coordinator for the Mentorship Program of the International Association of National Public Health Institutes in Emory’s Global Health Institute and a Program Administrative Assistant at Emory's School of Medicine. Ms. Allen has volunteered with Emory student-led organizations and professional-based programs such as the Carter Center, Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, Office of Multicultural Programs/Services, and the Emory Global Health Organization. Currently, she collaborates with organizations and individuals engaged in global education and public health initiatives; and she is a Volunteer Committee member with Voluntary Service Overseas Rwanda. Some of her strengths include coordination, facilitation, writing and editing with a major interest in community mediation and technical writing. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Modern International Studies from the University of Leeds and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History & Geography from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

A new Gender Justice Web

2010-10-30T02:49:00.000-07:00

RWAMREC participates in a training on Researching violence against women in Kampala, Uganda

2010-10-24T00:11:00.002-07:00

From 4^th to 16^th October 2010, RWAMREC Program coordinator, Mr SAMVURA Oswald attended a training course on Researching violence against women. This training was organized by Raising Voices and facilitated by Dr.NAEEMA Abrahams and Dr.SHANAAZ Mathews both from Medical Research Council of South Africa and SIMUKAI Shamu from University of Western Cape.

23 people (among them 6 men) from 11 countries (Rwanda, Burundi, South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Zambia) attended this training that took place in Muyenga at Landmark Hotel.

The training aimed at strengthening the capacity of service providers, activists and researchers to participate in research by developing an understanding of all factors associated with the planning and the implementation of research on GBV and to use it effectively. Specifically the following objectives were assigned to this training:

1) Develop a critical understanding of the issue of gender and gender based violence.

2) Demonstrate an understanding of violence against women as a public health issue.

3) Demonstrate an understanding of how to develop a research strategy.

4) Demonstrate an understanding of the different methods used in violence against women with an emphasis of the use of epidemiology in such studies

5) Demonstrate an understanding of how the research can be used in advocacy

6) Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and awareness of the challenges of doing research on gender violence.

Achievements

During this training, many subjects related to research process have been developed such as identifying a problem, collecting and analyzing the data and reporting the results. Participants learnt different steps of a gender based violence research and practical exercises were made on how to make a literature review, how to formulate the research objectives and questions, how to decide on the research design and methods and how to write a study protocol.

Different approaches/methods (qualitative and qualitative) to research and different tools used to collect information (in-depth interview, focus groups discussion, structured or semi-structured interviews etc), to analyze data in researching gender violence against women with Epi info (quantitative) or open mode (qualitative) as well as the research methodology were explored during the training.

The training has been also an opportunity for participants to share on specifics projects/experiences from different institutions. The projects coordinator of RWAMREC presented the findings of the study on masculinity and GBV in Rwanda:
experiences and perceptions of men and women. Other presentations were made by the Ugandan Bureau of Statistics (Experiences of Quantitative GBV Research using the 2006 UDHS in Uganda), the Makerere University (on different studies made on GBV in Kampala), by ACFODE (on sexual and gender based violence in Pallisa and Kisoro districts), and CEDOVIP (on the advocacy campaign based on GBV research findings).

COMMUNIQUE FROM THE EAST AFRICA CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS FORUM Snow Crest Hotel, Arusha, Tanzania, October 16th-17th, 2010

2010-10-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

COGNIZANT of the common vision toward a united and strong African through regional pillars such as the East African Community as enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union;

RECOGNIZING that all EAC states are parties to the Constitutive Act of the African Union, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the significant steps by a majority of Partner States in ratifying the African Charter on Democracy, Election and Governance and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human an Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women;

APPRECIATE all the steps taken by the AU in adopting norms, principles and policies aimed at promoting democracy, rule of law good governance, respect for human rights and social political development in Africa with the full participation of Civil Society in Africa and which form part of the values they share in the current integration process we’re experiencing;

TAKING NOTE of the recommendation of the 16^th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union[1] to make Shared Values the theme of the Ordinary Session of the Assembly in January 2011, put in place a Pan-African Architecture on Governance and identify obstacles and measures to be adopted to facilitate continental integration based on such shared values.

NOTING that these values can play a critical role in transforming Africa, regional integration and sustainable development;

RECOGNIZING that whilst these shared principles and values have been consistently articulated in many Treaties, Declarations and Resolutions adopted by the EAC, their consolidation, implementation and other obstacles remain a major challenge among the partner states;

ACKNOWLEDGING that the EAC as a building block of integration in Africa is willing to play a strong orientation in ensuring that they are shared and practiced across the region;

NOTING the need at both the African Union and East African Community work in close partnership with all segments of civil society;

WE THE MEMBERS of East Africa Civil Society convened under the leadership of the East African Civil Society Organizations Forum (EACSOF) in collaboration with the Centre for Citizens Participation in the African Union (CCP - AU), representing the five (5) Partner States namely Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda identified our shared values inherent in the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African within the areas of human rights, democracy, elections governance and gender as;

1. In line with Human Rights, the sanctity of life, tolerance of diversity and take into account the basic need and conditions necessary for human survival;

2. Regarding democracy, elections and governance, we believe in equitable and effective participation, accountability, transparency and integrity; holding free, fair and participatory elections as core values in democracy, good governance and elections;

3. Concerning gender, we share values of protection against Gender Based Violence and, discrimination and promoting health as a basic human rights; gender equality and gender equity;

CONCERNED that in the area of Human Rights;

i. There is insufficient ratification and domestication in the Partner States of continental and regional human rights instruments;

ii. There has been inadequate response of the Partners states to gross human rights violations occurring in East Africa;

iii. That abductions, kidnapping and illegal transfer of people accused of serious crimes such as terrorism is ongoing;

iv. There is notable prevalence of impunity especially among state agencies;

v. There is a lack of appropriate protection of human rights defenders;

vi. The extension of the jurisdiction of the East African Court of justice has not been finalised;

vii. There has been inadequate access to justice for the poor, marginalised and vulnerable members of society;

WE FURTHER TAKE NOTE WITH CONCERN that in relation to democracy, elections and governance;

i. That the majority of EAC Partner States have not ratified and domesticated the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance;

ii. There is need for increased political will to fight grand corruption in the region;

iii. There is an absence of a regional mechanism monitoring the Partner States compliance to Democracy, Elections and Governance principles and values;

iv. There is insufficient separation of powers within the arms of national governments;

v. There is limited participation and space of opposition parties in political processes and governance;

vi. There is increase in politically motivated election related violence and gender based violence;

vii. There is slow progress towards full and active participation and effective representation in political processes and leadership at all levels especially among women and the youth;

CONCERNED with Gender equality;

i. That there continues to be existence of gender insensitive laws and policies at national and regional level;

ii. Of the high level of general ignorance and misconceptions of gender as a social construct;

iii. Of the lack of regional Gender Based Violence (GBV) policies and inadequate implementation of national policies;

iv. Of the lack of a comprehensive regional monitoring and evaluation and inadequate implementation of national Monitoring and Evaluation framework;

v. Of the underrepresentation and meaningful participation of women in key missions such as peacekeeping and conflict resolution

vi. Of the existence of harmful cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and forced and early marriages

WE the participants to the Consultative Meeting therefore resolve and RECOMMEND;

The EAC and AU Partner States speed up the process of domestication and implementation of the various continental and regional protocols and declarations aimed at promoting women’s rights, press freedoms, access to information and regional integration, among others and to put in place implementation, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms;

Put in place a programme to enhance awareness creation with particular focus to effective use of public media and further hold and support civic education programmes regarding all continental and regional instruments and policies vis-à-vis regional integration and human rights;

Institutionalise and the strengthen of the mandate of civil society participation in the EAC and AU to ensure their full and active participation in the development and implementation of EAC and AU decisions;

We further recommend with regard to Human Rights;

i. Urge the AU to operationalize the Human Rights Fund created in 2003 in Kigali (Rwanda) by the Ministerial Conference on Human Rights in Africa to deal with issues such as effective reparations and capacity building of national, regional and continental human rights institutions;

ii. The abolishment of the death penalty in East Africa as an inhumane form of punishment;

iii. The guarantee of humane treatment of accused persons and prisoners while in lawful custody;

iv. The development mechanisms to compel Partner States to comply with the Rule of Law be set up and operationalised;

v. Hasten the passing of the draft EAC HIV and AIDS Prevention and Management Bill, 2010;

vi. Enhance the administration of justice through increased budgetary allocation and capacity building, including facilitating legal aid and awareness policy, and engendering the role of CSOs facilitating the aforementioned;

vii. Accelerate the finalisation of the Protocol Extending the Jurisdiction of the East African Court of Justice;

viii. Carry out wide consultations with a broad base of stakeholders such as CSOs in the vetting and appointment of individuals to Human Rights mandated bodies;

ix. Increase the involvement and participation of community leaders and elders in the enforcement of human rights be guaranteed and appreciated;

With a view toward enhanced democracy, elections and governance;

i. Establish a regional elections standards body to monitor regional elections;

ii. Institutionalize shadow governments in the governance systems at the national level in order to promote political pluralism;

iii. Fully observe the principles of freedom of association and speech;

iv. Expeditiously develop the EAC Peace and Security architecture in particular, giving attention to the Early Warning System with a view to curbing election related violence.

v. Developing mechanisms at the EAC aiming at compelling its Partner States to sign, ratify and domesticate and implement, continental and regional instruments on governance, elections and corruption;

To promote gender equality and protection against gender based discrimination we urge;

i. Partner States to protect individuals against Gender Based Violence and Discrimination;

ii. Promote health as a basic human right;

iii. EAC partner States to sign, ratify, domesticate and implement all regional and continental treaties on gender equality;

iv. EAC Partner States to adopt a regional gender protocol;

v. Partner States to further promote public-private partnerships on promoting gender issues;

vi. EAC Partner States to involve the community in elimination of bad and harmful traditional practices;

vii. Partner States to enhance the technical and human capacity at the EAC dealing with gender issues;

Partner States to allocate 15% of their respective national budgets toward health in accordance with the Maputo Protocol; We Members of the East African Civil Society Organisations’ Forum Commit to;

i. Our intentions to align and harmonize civil society actions towards achieving both national and regional governance and development objectives;

ii. Constructive engagement in national, regional and international development initiatives and with other regional bodies such as the African Union and the East African Community;

iii. Offering effective collaboration and support during the development of the Shared Values, their implementation and monitoring of processes.

iv. Enhancing efficient, effective, transparent and accountable practices as evidenced by the ongoing process of developing guidelines and principles for the legal and operating environment for Civil Society at the EAC.

[1] (EX.CL/Dec.525 [XVI])

RWAMREC participates in EACSOF SHARED VALUES MEETING IN ARUSHA

2010-10-19T06:50:00.001-07:00

The East African Civil Society Organizations’ Forum (EACSOF) is an autonomous umbrella body of all Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and CSOs in East Africa, with the primary objective of building a critical mass of knowledgeable and empowered civil society in the region, in order to foster their confidence and capacity in articulating grassroots needs and interests to the EAC, and its various organs, institutions and agencies.

From 16 to 17 October 2010, EACSOF in collaboration with the Centre for Citizens Participation in the African Union (CCP - AU) organized a 2 day consultation meeting themed SHARED VALUES IN THE EAC TOWARDS ENHANCED GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY” to elucidate the concept of shared values as it is articulated and prioritized by CSOs in the region for the purpose of contributing to the development of Continental shared values.

RWAMREC as a member of the EACSOF governing council was invited to that consultation meeting and was represented by RWAMREC chair Person Mr Fidele Rutayisire who is also a member of the EACSOF Governing Council.

The meeting was held at Snowcrest Hotel, Arusha-Tanzania and all civil society organizations from the 5 member states of the EAC were represented.

OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING

The primary objective of this meeting was to elucidate the concept of shared values as it articulated and prioritized by CSOs the region for the purpose of contributing to the development of Continental shared values. Specific objectives of the meeting include the following among others:

Provide the basis for collective reflection on the theme of the January 2011 AU Summit, Shared Values, as well as creating synergies between regional realities and continental priorities;

2. Procure recommendations from the EAC CSOs on the region shared values on good governance, human rights and democracy to be included as part of the African Union shared values on governance and democracy that will be channelled to the EAC and AU Secretariat respectively.

3. To create awareness amongst CSOs and citizens of the East African Community, on the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and Human Rights Strategy for Africa (HRSA) and its importance in promoting good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, accountability and transparency in the region and Africa at large;

OUTCOME OF THE MEETING

1. Participants developed a regional shared values for the East African community on governance and democracy and these shared values will be forwarded to the EAC Secretariat for further action by the EAC Council of Ministers and to the AUC for potential inclusion in the overall conceptualization of Shared Values;

2. The meeting provided awareness to CSOs on the progress made on the development of the African Union shared values, the AGA/AGP and the HRSA;

Participants gave recommendations on the EAC shared values to be included in the African shared values;
Participants recommended the EAC to involve men in all gender agenda.
The meeting ended up with a communiqué as well as a press release with recommendations.

The meeting identified EACSOF shared values inherent in the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African within the areas of human rights, democracy, elections governance and gender.

RWAMREC chairperson chaired the second day session of the meeting and played an important role especially in arguing to put gender among key shared values.

Vacancy Announcement

2010-10-14T23:31:00.000-07:00

Rwanda Men’s Resource Center (RWAMREC) is a non-government organization whose aim is to address issues of negative masculinity, gender inequality, promotion of healthy families, women’s rights and prevention of gender-based violence, thus addressing all other related consequences including HIV/AIDS and other health issues.

RWAMREC with the support from CARE Rwanda would like to solicit applications from qualified, dynamic and highly motivated candidates of high moral character and professional integrity to fill the position of Field Officer for its impact evaluation study project. He/she will be based in Southern Province of Rwanda at CARE Rwanda Huye Sub-Office.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Field Officer will be responsible for:

- Planning, coordination and implementation of the field framework for the impact evaluation study project on VSL focusing on male engagement.
- Conduct situational analysis in collaboration with the existing VSL groups to determine the training needs with the Male engage focus and the status of VSL groups within area of assignment.
- Identification and training of community based trainers and resourceful persons as opinions leaders’ community based trainers in the community.
- Through the Impact Evaluation Project conduct economic opportunity analysis and market surveys and in partnership conduct technical skills training and especially in the area of Gender considering the Male Engage.
- Train ISARO Project staff members on gender related issues with a focus on engaging men in ending SGBV.
- Liaise with the CARE/VSL and RWAMREC Offices to gather information and materials for presentation to VSL's Beneficiaries.
- Participate in periodic activity assessments as guided by the CARE/ICRW program work plan.
- Make periodic reports on mainstreaming male engagement activities of CARE/VSL beneficiaries.
- Works closely with the Capacity Building Office and CARE/VSL officers in areas of program development and reporting.
- Works within an agreed work plan, meeting ISARO and Impact Evaluation Project requirements and priorities.
- Supports the effective day-to-day running of RWAMREC`s activities of the CARE/ICRW Impact evaluation project.
- Assure quality of services and reports
- Other duties assigned by the direct supervisor

Required Skills and Qualifications:

- At least a Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences, Public Health, Community Health, Education or any other relevant field.
- At least 2 years of experience in training in gender issues.
- Demonstrated capacity in community mobilization
- A minimum of 3 years doing similar work
- Experience in adult learning and child learning.
- Varied experience in developing learning materials and delivering trainings and other capacity building initiatives.
- Ability to maintain effective working relations both as a team member and team leader and ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan.
- Proven ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people.
- Excellent communication skills with demonstrated commitment to participatory approaches.
- Excellent written and spoken English, French and Kinyarwanda.
- Ability to use ICT to access information and prepares reports.
- Ability to promote and market projects, producing a range of publicity materials.
- Willingness to work in Huye District.
- Possess a driving permit (Category A).

How to apply

Applications (application letter, a copy of notified academic testimonials and detailed CV and names and contact of 3 references) must be addressed to the Chairman, RWAMREC, Avenue de la Justice, Nyamirambo, PROFEMME building, 1st floor or at recruitment@rwamrec.org no later than 29/10/2010 at 5h00 PM local time. Only short listed candidates whose background and experience corresponds to the above criteria will be contacted for further consideration.

RWAMREC conducts trainings in Gakenke District

2010-10-04T16:01:00.000-07:00

RWAMREC with the sponsorship from UNIFEM conducted a series of training in GAKENKE District from 20^th September 2010 on "Engaging men as partners to women in preventing violence and promoting healthy families in Rwandan communities". Training series are expected to be conducted throughout September till end of November 2010.

The objectives of the trainings

Enhance the culture of gender equality and equity in the Rwandan communities for effective prevention of GBV.
Men and Women are empowered to fight GBV and this is demonstrated by their commitment through involvement in preventive actions in community and workplaces.
Enhance partnership and dialogue between men and women to lead to consciousness-raising groups, gender awareness programs, advocacy campaigns, and mentoring programs for effective prevention of GBV and creation of positive male role models.
To establish focal points/groups within Gakenke's community to sensitize their peers on fight against GBV.

The training series are designed and conducted by experienced trainers from RWAMREC in partnership with outside expert in Gender issues with extensive expertise in the fields of working with men and preventing gender based violence.

RWAMREC hosts Prof Susan Kreston

2010-10-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

On 22 September 2010, RWAMREC in partnship with the US embassy in Rwanda hold a Public lecture on `` Addressing gender based violence through a Human Rights framework. ``on 22^nd September 2010 at Kigali Health Institute.

The guest speaker was Professor Susan Kreston who arrived at the invitation of U. S. Embassy for a five-day program (September 18 – 27, 2010). Prof Suzan Kreston is a Legal Expert and currently a leading Consultant to U.S., Southern African, and Thai governments and NGOs on child abuse/exploitation issues, as well as violence against women and girls.

The public lecture was attended by KHI and KIST students and staff, US embassy staff, RWAMREC staff an members. Were also present some representatives of the civil society.

Susan Kreston with her expertise in Law clearly stated the evolution and amendments/ratification of some law to incorporate Women and Children's right. She said that Women's right is not different from Human's right.

After Susan's presentation participants were given time to ask questions, these are some of the questions raised:

Does the law punishing the perpetrators take into consideration the fact that the perpetrators committed violence while under alcohol and drugs if it happens to be the case?
Does the infidelity leading to high rate of outside marriage new born babies seen as a new trend for GBV and if yes how the international law is is prepared to face this issue?
What is the difference between civil law and criminal law? What are the causes or case of trafficking and what can be done to eradicate GBV based on trafficking?
What are the strength and limitations of human rights framework?

Susan's answers to raised questions immeasurably contributed to participants' understanding. However, due to time constraint, participants couldn't ask enough questions as they wished and Susan promised to participants to stay in touch via email whereby they could ask for information and discuss on question which remained unanswered.

To view the presentation of Prof Suzan Kreston, click here.

Tchad delegation visit RWAMREC

2010-10-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

From 30 September 2010, a delegation composed of women parliamentarians, the umbrella of women’s organizations in Tchad (CELIAF, Cellule de liaison des associations feminine’s) visit Rwanda to learn from Rwanda success in promoting gender equality, women in decision making organs, women’s empowerment, conflict resolution, reconciliation and gender based violence prevention. The Tchad delegation was hosted by PROFEMMES TWESE HAMWE, an umbrella of 55 member organizations working to promote gender equality, peace and development in Rwanda.

On 1^st October the delegation visited RWAMREC to learn on how to engage men in gender equality and violence prevention. The delegation was received by Fidele Rutayisire, chairperson, Venant Nzabonimana, Vice Chairperson, Leon Kayigi, a Board Member of RWAMREC and other staff of RWAMREC. The Tchad delegation was headed by Nailar Clarisse the Secretary General of CELIAF. In his welcome remarks, Mr Fidele Rutayisire, explained that RWAMREC is engaging men in gender equality andd violence prevention because men are the gatekeepers of the current gender orders and are potential resistors of change. He further said that`` if we do not effectively reach men and boys, many of our efforts including efforts of women’s organizations will be thwarted or ignored. Mr Venant Nzabonimana presented to the Tchad delegation about the success of RWAMREC and lessons learn from engaging men on field.

Nailar Clarisse, the secretary General of CELIAF, expressed her satisfaction toward the objectives and mission of RWAMREC. She also recognized the importance of working with men hand in hand with women in all interventions. She further informed RWAMREC that in Tchad there is a newly formed Men’s Network in Tchad and requested RWAMREC to be in touch with them. RWAMREC as a member of the steering committee of the Africa MenEngage Network promised to get in touch with the Tchad Men`s Network very soon.

RWAMREC organises a training on Get Moving Program Phase 2

2010-10-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

Get Moving Phase Two, a training that provides a platform/space for self reflection and thinking on issues related to GBV was organized by RWAMREC with the support from the GBV Prevention Network's Movement Building Initiative.

Get Moving Phase two with its general objective of supporting each other through creative sessions and readings for strengthening our analysis of GBV prevention brought together 7 RWAMREC Staff and 2 RWAMREC Members on 4^th September 2010.

The Chairman of RWAMREC who opened the training started by thanking the GBV Prevention Network's Movement Building Initiative for their invaluable financial and technical support that made the Get Moving phase one and two possible. He went on reminding the staff the fundamental philosophy behind the creation of the GBV Prevention Network's Movement Building Initiative.

He mentioned that the network was created with an aim of providing to GBV prevention activists a room for reflection, analysis and action that lead to a deep transformative change at individual, organizational and community levels.

In addition, in his opening remarks he called upon all staff present to openly and actively share views, explore and meditate on the various topics of the three sessions.

The training methodology used was participatory whereby each of the staff members led and facilitated a session or a subject of the session.

A group of two facilitators started by discussing the three objectives of the get moving which are:

-To encourage personal reflection and learning among members to understand and be committed to a rights-based, feminist approach to GBV prevention.

-To foster reflection at an organizational level on values that include power sharing, shared authority and decision making.

- To create strategies with member organizations for reaching out to others with a rights-based analysis of GBV prevention.

They went on facilitating the power beliefs and root causes of power imbalances session.

Another group of facilitators (two for each session) presented on Human Right Based Programming and Feminism and Women's rights approaches to GBV.

Based on the contents of the topics, it was revealed that most of the time we never do human rights-based programming but a need-based programming approach and we never mind power imbalance in our own personal and professional lives, especially at workplace. Owing to the negative effects of this power imbalance and our own contribution to this power imbalance that fuels GBV, RWAMREC Staff decided to change our power dynamics to empower each other and feel powerful together instead of using our powers to abuse others. The staff also resolved to change its attitudes and practices in our daily work to uphold rights-based attitudes and language. The various exchanges and discussions helped the participants to get a better understanding of some critical things we take foEnregistrer en mode Brouillonr granted and which were used in a wrong way with good faith. For example, feminism was seen as something that has got a negative connotation related to radicalism, selfish interests, exclusion and hatred geared at revenge against men. However, our understanding is that they fight for a just cause that we all aspire to, they deal with issues that all of us have a stake in, and the benefits of women empowerment is beneficial not only to men as well but also to the entire family and community, and the world at large. So, this justifies our decision to work with and support feminist movements and ensure that the rights of women are respected and promoted in our work. RWAMREC staff reiterated the importance of working in partnership with women in all steps of GBV prevention and promotion of positive masculinity in Rwanda. We are also glad that we managed to do away with the terms like victims, beneficiaries, and related attitudes, as they are not synonymous of human rights-based programming approach.

Through the evaluation of the day, all the staff mentioned that this training presented several opportunities for them to reflect and think of follow on actions that will be taken as a result of this better understanding. The staff is now committed to nurture and demonstrate this change in the personal and professional life at workplace and home, or everywhere in order to make a difference. In the context of the organization's work, all staff committed to apply the skills acquired as a stepping stone to foster community reflection on equal rights between men and women and the need to become GBV prevention activists.

In conclusion, the get moving phase two was a success for us as it helped us think twice on things we take for granted, our everyday language, our attitudes, our understanding, etc. And reflected on way forward in efforts of ending GBV in partnership with other actors and partners in Rwanda.

RWAMREC participates in Get Moving session in Kampala

2010-10-02T06:12:00.001-07:00

From 28 September to 1st October 2010, RWAMREC Executive secretary and the Program coordinator attended a regional workshop on sharing experiences on the Get Moving initiative in Kampala Uganda.

RWAMREC is currently partnering with the Gender Based Violence Prevention Network and its 8 member organizations from 8 countries to build and strengthen a GBV prevention movement in the region. All the regional that are getting Moving! Have linked up in Kampala to discuss values related to GBV prevention work and further enrich the process.

What is the Get Moving! Initiative?

Get Moving! Utilizes reflection sessions, exercises and readings, designed to stimulate personal and / or organizational reflection about GBV prevention work.

Get Moving! Objectives

1. To encourage personal reflection and learning among members to understand and be committed to a rights-based, feminist approach to GBV prevention.

2. To foster reflection at an organizational level on values that include power sharing, shared authority and decision making

3. To create strategies with member organizations for reaching out to others with a rights-based analysis of GBV prevention.

How is the Get Moving! Process organized?

Any group or organization interested in thinking more about the ideas and values that underpin GBV prevention work and what it would take to truly prevent GBV in the region can undertake the 3 phases.

Each phase of Get Moving! Includes a series of sessions meant to be facilitated within a group as well as readings and suggestions for journal writing that participants can do independently.

Let’s Get Moving!

RWAMREC Validation Workshop

2010-09-16T05:39:00.000-07:00

On 14 September 2010, RWAMREC organized a one day workshop to validate the final findings of the research on masculinity and gender based violence in Rwanda. the research was funded bu UNDP Rwanda, commissionned by the Rwanda MenEngage Network and coordinated by the Rwanda Men`s Resource Centre.

The validation workshop took place at Laico Hotel and was attended by 65 organizations including international organizations, Rwanda civil society organizations, higher learning institutions, faith based organizations and the media.

The objective of the research is Improve understanding for design of strategies that tackle GBV and promote gender equality in Rwanda with a positive involvement of men.
The research analyzed what is the relation between masculinity perceptions and the problem of gender-based violence committed by men towards women.

The following sub questions were analyzed:
- How do men see their male role in relation to partners and women?
- How do women see the role of males in society?
- What aspects in Rwandese society may fuel negative masculinity perceptions that justify violence against women?
The research shows that the promotion of positive masculinity and involvement of men and boys in changing attitudes towards women should connect to positive identity construction and include positive messages.

To view more pictures of the event, click here

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Pictures of the training of Data Collectors

2010-03-17T01:15:00.000-07:00

Augustin Kimonyo

2010-03-17T00:38:00.000-07:00

Augustin Kimonyo, Gender Expert, RWAMREC

Ajay and Henny

2010-03-17T00:30:00.000-07:00

Ajay Kumar S from ICRW and Henney Sigh

RWAMREC training of enumerators

2010-03-17T00:24:00.000-07:00

From 16 to 23 March RWAMREC is conducting a training of 80 data collectors who will collect data for the study on masculinity. This study on the perceptions of masculinity in relation to gender-based violence will be conducted at a national level in Rwanda. The research is an initiative of the Rwanda MenEngage Network coordinated by RWAMREC and funded by the UNDP Rwanda.
The objective of the study is to provide reliable data that are needed to develop comprehensive evidence based strategy that will tackle the root causes of violence and aspects of negative masculinity.

The study will focus on the relationship between socio cultural norms about gender relations and the current violence experienced by male and females in Rwanda.
The research activities are implemented and coordinated by RWAMREC. The research team and field activities are coordinated and supervised by
Ajay Kumar S: A technical specialist in IMAGES from ICRW
Henny Slegh: A specialist in Medical Anthropology and Gender
KIMONYO Agustin: Gender Expert, RWAMREC

The objective of this training of data collectors is to equip data collectors on general knowledge on gender, gender based violence, sexuality, masculinity research techniques, how to organize focus group discussion.

To view some presentations of the training, click here or here

To view pictures of the 1st day of the training, click here

To view the report of the training, click here

Blogs from Fidele en route to Bangkok

2010-02-07T14:20:00.000-08:00

RWAMREC Chairman en route to Bangkok

January 24, 2010: Fidele Reflects on the Arrival in Bangkok

Pictures of the workshop

Report by Fidele

Pictures taken during the Workshop

2010-02-07T13:28:00.000-08:00

To view more photos, click here

January 24, 2010: Fidele Reflects on the Arrival in Bangkok

2010-02-07T12:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday passed by in a blur of plane flights (landings in Entebbe, Addis Ababa, Dubai and finally Bangkok).

The eighteen-hour flight on three different planes and several time zones threw me for a loop. when I arrived at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, no one was there to pick up and I strugled to get a taxi to drop me at the Amari Watergate Hotel.

Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is a gigantic Asian metropolis (population over ten million), which has nevertheless kept under its modern appearance and noise a lot of the taste of traditional Thailand. The most pleasant way to move around the city and beat its infamous trafic is to use one of the several types of boats which ply the Chao Phraya river. This is my occasion to discover the city water life along its teak-houses lined canals.

In peace

Fidele

RWAMREC Chairman en route to Bangkok

2010-02-07T12:17:00.000-08:00

Friday, 23 January 2010

Sitting in the Kanombe International airport in Kigali, I am once again en route to Asia. This time my destination is Bangkok, Thailand
Based on our collaboration with the International Center for Research on women (ICRW) RWAMREC was invited to participate in a workshop on Men and Gender Equality Policy Project/IMAGES and MenEngage meetings.
The next flight takes me to Entebbe, Uganda, followed by a long transit to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and Dubai.

In connection,

Fidele Rutayisire

other blog entries from Fidele

January 24, 2010: Fidele Reflects on the Arrival in Bangkok

Pictures of the workshop

Report by Fidele

Job Advertisement

2010-02-03T12:55:00.000-08:00

Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC) is a non-government organization whose aim is to address issues of negative masculinity, gender inequality, promotion of healthy families, women’s rights and prevention of gender-based violence, thus addressing all other related consequences including HIV/AIDS and other health issues.

RWAMREC intends to conduct a study on masculinity in Rwanda from March 2010 and would like solicit applications from an international consultant experienced in researching on masculinity. RWAMREC is seeking also 2 national consultants who will be involved in the organisation of the study and data collectors who will collect data on field under supervision of team leaders of the study.

Profile of Consultants
a. PHD or Masters in gender, psychology, social sciences, public policy, anthropology, conflict management, and other related disciplines;
b. Proven expertise in research and publication on men and masculinity, gender-based violence, adolescent health, HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, gender impact evaluation, and related areas;
c. Demonstrated capacity to work effectively in English with knowledge of Kinyarwanda and French

Requirements for Data collectors:
a. At least a diploma level A2 in statistics, mathematics, Humanities and other related disciplines;
b. Relevant experience in research work on the ground;
c. To be more than 25 years of age;
d. Proven capabilities to work in Kinyarwanda, English and French;
e. Capable and willing to work and stay in rural areas;
f. Computer literacy for data entry and analysis.

NB: The detailed Terms of Reference for the above services can be visited at the office of Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC) or at http://npogroups.org/lists/d_read/rmen/Job%20announcement/Job%20advertisement/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20TORs.pdf

How to apply
For the consultants, Proposals to undertake the consultancy should reach RWAMREC by 26 February 2010 at 3h00 pm local time and should include a letter of motivation, detailed CV, notified academic testimonials, a detailed budget and proposed timeline for the work. All correspondence concerning this work should be addressed to Chairman, RWAMREC, Avenue de la justice, Nyamirambo, PROFEMME Building, 1st Floor or via e-mail to recruitment@rwamrec.org

For data collectors, Application letter, CV and notified testimonials should be submitted to RWAMREC office not later than 19/2/2010 at 3h00 pm local time. Only short listed candidates will be contacted for next steps.

Done at Kigali on 3/2/2010

RWAMREC Administration

Pictures of RWAMREC in the Africa MenEngage Symposium

2009-11-06T03:21:00.000-08:00

Report of the participation of RWAMREC to the Africa MEnEngage Symposium

2009-11-05T07:45:00.000-08:00

Introduction

From 5 to 9 October 2009, RWAMREC and the Rwanda MenEngage Network participated to the MenEngage Africa symposium organized by the Africa MenEngage Network in collaboration with the Global MenEngage Alliance and Sonke Gender Justice Network. The symposium was held at the Turbine Hall, Newtown in Johannesburg, South Africa. The symposium brought together organizations and policymakers from across and outside Africa to build civil society organizations and Government capacity to work with men and boys to promote gender equality and thus respond to Gender -Based Violence (GBV) and HIV/AIDS Among others.

Objectives of the Africa MenEngage Symposium

Developing shared vision of the need for work with men and boys in Africa and the policy, programming and action required;
Strengthening participants’ ability to implement multi-faceted approaches to working with men and boys on gender and HIV/AIDS;
Developing country and region-specific work-plans with clear, time-bound activities, outputs and outcomes;
Building and strengthening the MenEngage Alliance, the Pan-Commonwealth Civil Society Network on HIV/AIDS and the Commonwealth Women’s Network in Africa.

The Symposyium

The theme of the Symposium was: strengthening Civil Society and Government capacity to work with men and boys to respond to Gender Based Violence and HIV across Africa. The symposium included a range of presentations, skills building activities and Work-plan development from various MenEngage Networks in Africa. So far there are 8 active MenEngage in Africa. These include: MenEngage Rwanda, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Ethiopia and Zambia. There are other MenEngage Networks in Africa that are not yet strong and that need to be strengthened. The MenEngage Africa will be strengthening Networks at country level.

Lessons learnt

There is increased interest and international instruments around engaging men. Men Engage approach is working in Africa, Asia and Latin America. There is clear evidence that this is a lived reality.
The challenges: small scale; clear need to work with policy makers, traditions keepers and religion leaders to take work to scale and increase its impact.
It is important to mainstream Gender, gender based violence and HIV and AIDS in all programmes we undertake. UNDP SA is preparing a guide for the mainstreaming which is useful to share appropriate tools must be developed for accurately addressing the issue of GBV and HIV and AIDS. Sonke gender justice is preparing an important film-tool on condom awareness campaign which shall be used in convincing men of the usefulness of using it.
Media need to improve their ways of working especially in analyzing the root causes of gender based violence rather than treating its effects

Outcome of the participation of RWAMREC and MenEngage Rwanda to the Africa MenEngage Symposium

Visibility of the Rwanda MenEngage Network: MenEngage Rwanda presented its background, work plan and next steps including the research on masculinity to be funded by UNDP Rwanda.
Networking with other MenEngage Networks across Africa and other parts of the world: Meeting with coordinators of MenEngage country networks in Africa. We also met the coordinator of MenEngage India and Brazil. Men Engage India is ahead in engaging men and boys in violence prevention, HIV and Aids and post conflicts at community level. The MenEngage India extended an invitation to MenEngage Rwanda to make a study tour in India to learn about their work.
Discussions with relevant representatives on how MenEngage Rwanda can contribute to establishment of MenEngage Networks in Burundi, DRC and Congo Brazzaville.
Sub-Grants: MenEngage Rwanda will also benefit from the grant allocated to the implementation of the work plan and recommendations from the symposium.
Technical assistance: Africa MenEngage promised technical assistance to MenEngage Rwanda

Conclusion and Recommandations

The participation of RWAMREC and the MenEngage Rwanda to the Africa MenEngage symposium was important and fruitful. There is a need to sensitize members of the MenEngage Rwanda on the Johannesburg Declaration and Call to Action. There is also a clear need to work with policy makers to take work to scale and increase its impact.

To view pictures of the symposium, click here.
To view the Johannesburg declaration, visit the Global MenEngage Web site and Sonke Gender Justice Network web site

MenEngage Africa Symposium

2009-08-20T06:10:00.000-07:00

MenEngage Africa Symposium:
Strengthening Capacity of Civil Society and Government to Work with Men and Boys on Gender-Based Violence and HIV
In partnership with Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), The Commonwealth Foundation, UNICEF East Africa and the Ford Foundation
Johannesburg, October 5th-9th, 2009

From Cape Town to Kivu to Cairo, from Abidjan to Antananarivo, men are implicated in health and human rights crises across Africa. Men are also essential for their successful resolution –whether it be stopping sexual violence in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; accelerating demilitarisation and disarmament in Central and East Africa; preventing new HIV infections, expanding treatment and reducing the burden of AIDS care borne by women and girls across the entire continent; increasing men’s active involvement in the lives of their children; strengthening health systems or promoting a more active sense of citizenship aimed at holding government to account for their commitments.

A growing body of research has helped us to understand the origins and nature of the problems faced by the continent and the role of men and masculinities in these, as well as the opportunities and potential for change. For example, we now have evidence that well implemented gender transformative interventions can bring about significant changes in men’s gender and HIV related attitudes and practices. However, meaningful change at the societal level, requires civil society and government to work together to increase the scale and impact of these interventions. In other areas innovative new interventions are required.

Following on the success of the Global Symposium on Engaging Men and Boys in Achieving Gender Equality held earlier this year in Brazil, Sonke and the MenEngage Alliance are pleased to announce the MenEngage Africa Symposium to be held October 5th-9th, 2009.
The symposium aims to strengthen the MenEngage Alliance across Africa and to forge partnerships between representatives from civil society, researchers, national governments, UN agencies and regional coordinating bodies such as the AU, SADC, EAC and ECOWAS, amongst others.

The Symposium will bring together activists, policy makers, service providers and researchers working on gender, HIV, health, development and human rights and will produce clear country and region specific plans of action.
The Symposium will include a range of presentations, skills building activities and work-plan development. Objectives of the meeting include:
a) Developing shared vision of the need for work with men and boys in Africa and the policy, programming and action required
b) Strengthening participants’ ability to implement multi-faceted approaches to working with men and boys on gender and AIDS
c) Developing country and region-specific work-plans with clear, time-bound activities, outputs and outcomes
d) Building and strengthening the MenEngage Alliance, the Pan-Commonwealth Civil Society Network on HIV/AIDS and the Commonwealth Women’s Network in Africa.

Confirmed speakers include: Elhadj As Sy, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa; Gary Barker, International Center for Research on Women; Mbuyiselo Botha, Sonke Gender Justice Network; Rachel Jewkes, Medical Research Council, South Africa; Robert Morrell, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Anisha Rajapakse, Commonwealth Foundation; Warren Nyamugisira, the Commonwealth Foundation’s Civil Society Advisory Committee.

The Symposium and the activities that follow will be coordinated by Sonke Gender Justice in consultation with a steering committee comprised of key civil society organisations working on issues related to men and gender equality across Africa as well as representatives from the partners. These include Padare Enkudleni Men’s Forum (Zimbabwe), Men for Gender Equality Now (Kenya), Raising Voices (Uganda), the Rwanda Men’s Resource Center (RWAMREC), EngenderHealth Tanzania, Lifeline Namibia and Foro Mulher (Mozambique), the Commonwealth Foundation, and the Pan Commonwealth Civil Society Network on HIV and AIDS in Africa.

The symposium fee is US$500 with a reduced fee for organisations headquartered in the global south. Funding for scholarships is available to be determined by criteria established by the steering committee.

For more information please contact Orly Stern (orly@genderjustice.org.za) or Regis Mtutu (regis@genderjustice.org.za) or visit the symposium webpage at: http://www.genderjustice.org.za/joburgsymposium and www.menengage.org.

RWAMREC Conducts training in 3 coffee cooperatives

2009-07-26T03:33:00.000-07:00

In the framework of its project Engaging Men and Women as partners for Violence prevention and Healthy Families in Rwandan coffee cooperatives, RWAMREC conducted trainings in COOPAC coffee Cooperative from 18-20 June 2009, in Abakundakahwa, Rushashi from 25-27 June 2009 and in Dukundekahwa, Musasa from 2 to 3rd July 2009. To view the report of this training visit RWAMREC official web site.

Pictures of RWAMREC in a planning meeting in Washington

2009-03-27T05:56:00.000-07:00

From 7 to 10 Marc 2009, RWAMREC participated actively in a planning meeting to discuss on the implementation of the multicountry project on impact evaluation of programs that engage men and boys in fighting against gender based violence.
RWAMREC was represented by Mr Edouard Munyamaliza the Country coordinator of RWAMREC.

Pictures on the Women`s day celebration

2009-03-16T08:33:00.000-07:00

RWAMREC iritegura kwizihiza umunsi mpuzamahanga w`Umugore

2009-02-28T07:47:00.000-08:00

Mu mwaka wa 1972 Umuryango w’Abibumbye washyizeho Umunsi Mpuzamahanga w’Umugore ariko mu gihugu cyacu tukaba twaratangiye kuwizihiza kuva mu mwaka wa 1975.

Insanganyamatsiko zo mu myaka yashize ni izi zikurikira :
1995 : Umutegarugori n’Amahoro
1996 : Umutegarugori n’icumbi
1997 : Kungahara Munyarwandakazi
1998 : Uburenganzira bw’Umwana n’Umutegarugori
1999 : Duharanire uburere n’uburezi bw’umwana w’Umukobwa
2000 : Kurwanya ubukene, Ihohoterwa rigirirwa umwana
w’umukobwa n’umutegarugori no kurwanya icyorezo cya
SIDA
2001 : Munyarwandakazi, gira uruhare mu Nzego zifatirwamo
ibyemezo
2002 : Munyarwandakazi, garagaza uruhare rwawe mu Nkiko
Gacaca, mu Itegeko Nshinga usobanukirwe n’Amategeko
akurengera
2003 : Munyarwandakazi, jijuka witabire Itangazamakuru,
Amatora ugire uruhare mu Mahoro arambye y’Igihugu
2004 : Uruhare rw’abagabo n’abahungu mu guteza imbere
uburinganire
2005 : Isuzuma ry’ibyagezweho kuva inama ya Beijing ibaye mu
mwaka w’1995 kugeza muri 2005
2006 : Munyarwandakazi, gira uruhare mu nzego z’ibanze zo
shingiro ry’amajyambere arambye
2007 : Kurandura umuco wo kudahana icyaha cy’ihohoterwa
rikorerwa abagore
2008 : Gushyira ingufu mu iterambere ry’abagore n’abakobwa.

Insanganyamatsiko y’uyu mwaka

Uyu mwaka insanganyamatsiko ku rwego rw’isi iragira iti: “a Women and Men: United to end Violence against women/ Abagore n’abagabo, dufatanyirize hamwe kurandura ihohoterwa rikorerwa abagore”

Iyo nsanganyamatsiko yatanzwe ku rwego rw’isi, natwe twasanze mu gihugu cyacu twayigira iyacu cyane cyane ko Igihugu cyacu cyahagurukiye ku buryo bugaragara kurandura ihohoterwa rikorerwa abagore uko ryaba riteye kose.

Iyo tuvuga ihohoterwa rikorerwa abagore, ntituba twirengagije ko hari n’abagabo bahohoterwa, ariko imibare igaragaza ko abagore ari bo benshi bahohoterwa, kandi n’insanganyamatsiko y’uyu mwaka niko ivuga, niyo mpamvu ihohoterwa rikorerwa abagore ariryo rishyirwaho imbaraga zidasanzwe kandi uruhare rwa buri wese rukaba rusabwa, abagore n’abagabo.
Abagore n’abagabo, nta n’umwe wigize ntibindeba, bagomba gufatana urunana bagafata ingamba zihamye zo kurandurana n’imizi ihohoterwa iryo ari ryo ryose rikorerwa umugore.

Twese ntituyobewe ko umuntu ari nk’undi, nta mpamvu twari dukwiye gukomeza gutsikamira umwe muri abo bantu ari we “umugore”. Nta muntu ushaka kuvuka ari umugore cyangwa ari umugabo, Imana niyo ibigena; bikaba rero bitaba intandaro yo gutsikamirwa ngo kuko umuntu ari umugore.

Ukurikije imibare itangwa na Polisi y’Igihugu mu mwaka wa 2008, usanga Uturere 6 turi ku isonga mu kugira umubare munini w’abahohotewe ari: GASABO (244), NYARUGENGE( 201), NYAGATARE(166), KICUKIRO(159) ,KAYONZA (116),NYANZA(110).

Cyakora twagira ngo dusobanure ko kuba imibare igaragara ko ari minini muri utu turere, bidasobanura ko ihohoterwa ryiyongera kurusha ahandi, ahubwo ari umusaruro w’ubukangurambaga Uturere twafashe bikaba bifasha abakorewe ihohoterwa kurimenyekanisha

Ni byiza ko buri wese yasubiza amaso inyuma kugira ngo turebe impamvu, muri utu Turere twavuzwe haruguru ari ho hari imibare myinshi, maze dufatanyirize hamwe gufata ingamba zihamye kandi zifatika, kabone n’ubwo umuti waba usharira,icya ngombwa ni uko indwara ikira.
Ntibivuze ariko ko Uturere twavuze ari two dufite ihohoterwa gusa, hose rirahari ahubwo turusheho no kurirandura burundu.

Uko uwo munsi uzizihizwa:

Nk’uko byemejwe n’Inama y’Abaminisitiri yo muri werurwe 2006, ko uburyo bwo kwizihiza umunsi w’uwa 8 werurwe byahinduka, aho kugira ngo hakorwe imyiyereko kuri stade ,kuko wasangaga abagore ari bo benshi bawitabiraga kurusha abagabo, kandi iterambere ry’umugore rireba buri wese n’abagabo barimo, hasabwe ko hajya habaho kuwizihiza aho abantu bakorera cyangwa batuye. Ibyo bikazajya bifasha kurushaho gukora ubuvugizi mu gushimangira gahunda ziteza imbere umugore ku buryo bw’umwihariko.

Ni muri urwo rwego , uyu mwaka hifujwe ko uwo munsi uzizihirizwa mu Turere twose nk’uko bisanzwe bigenda, hagatangwa ibiganiro bijyanye n’insanganyamatsiko y’uyu mwaka, hakaba hanakorwa ibikorwa bifatika, bitewe n’uko buri Karere kabiteganyije.

RWAMREC ifatanyije n`indi miryango iharanira uburenganzira bw`Umugore mu Rwanda, izakora ibikorwa bikurikira:
a) Mbere y’uwo munsi:
- Kuganira ku nsanganyamatsiko y’uyu mwaka , mu muganda wo kuwa 28 Gashyantare 2009
- Spot publicitaire ihamagarira abanyarwanda bose , abagore n’abagabo gufatana urunana bakarwanya ihohoterwa rikorerwa abagore
- Hatangwa ibiganiro kuri Radio na TVR bijyanye n’iyo nsanganyamatsiko
- Gutumira inzego zinyuranye kwitabira ibirori by’uwo munsi ku rwego rw’igihugu
- Kwandikira Uturere tubamenyesha insanganyamatsiko y’umwaka no kubibutsa kuwizihiza.
- Gukoresha banderoles.

b) Kuwa 8 werurwe nyirizina:

Umunsi uzaba ari ku cyumweru, ku munsi w’ikiruhuko ariko twifuzaga ko hakorwa ibi bikurikira:
- Umunsi uzizihirizwa mu Turere twose (Akarere kazagena aho umunsi uzabera ku rwego rw’Akarere cyangwa Umurenge), abayobozi bagahura n’abaturage bakabaganirira ku ngamba zo kurwanya ihohoterwa rikorerwa abagore, ijambo rigahabwa cyane cyane abagabo ku bikorwa bateganya kuzakora bigaragaza uruhare rwabo rufatika. Hazashyirwa ingufu ku bagabo kubera ko usanga ahanini uruhare rwabo mu kurwanya ihohoterwa rikorerwa abagore rutagaragara cyane; kandi insanganyamatsiko isaba ko dufatanyiriza hamwe.
- Gutangiza ku mugaragaro za Komite zo kurwanya ihohoterwa no kurengera abana zikorera mu midugudu
- Habaho igikorwa rusange aho abagore n’abagabo bahuza imbaraga zabo mu gufasha abahohotewe (bizaterwa n’uko buri Karere kabiteganya)
- Ibirori byo ku rwego rw’igihugu bizabera mu Karere ka Nyagatare
- Drama zihamagarira abantu kurwanya ihohoterwa
- Guha umwanya munini abagabo bakagaragariza abantu icyo bazakora mu kurandura ihohoterwa rikorerwa abagore, cyane cyane ko imbaraga(commitment) zabo zikenewe . Nta cyagerwaho hatabayeho guhuza imbaraga kw’abagore n’abagabo.

c) Nyuma y’uwa 8 werurwe:

Hakomeza kubaho ibikorwa bitandukanye bigamije gukomeza guhamagarira abanyarwanda gukora ibikorwa byo kurandura ihohoterwa. Bimwe muri ibyo bikorwa ni ibi bikurikira:
- Gutabariza uwahohotewe
- Kwihutira gutabara uwahohotewe
- Gusura ingo zose zigize umudugudu mu rwego rwo kubaganiriza ku kubana neza
- Gukomeza gutanga ibiganiro hirya no hino ahabereye inama, cyangwa mu muganda
- Umudugudu washyiraho ishimwe ryahabwa abantu bashishikariza abandi kubana neza
- N’ibindi…

Aho umunsi uzizihirizwa:

Uwo munsi wizihirijwe muri kamwe mu Turere turangwamo umubare munini w’abahohotewe, hemejwe Akarere ka Nyagatare, kuko utundi turere tuba mu Mujyi wa Kigali kandi hakunda gukorerwa ubuvugizi bwinshi, Inzego zinyuranye zifuje ko imihango y’uwo munsi yakwizihirizwa hanze y’Umujyi wa Kigali mu rwego rwo gukora ubuvugizi kugira ngo ihohoterwa riranduke burundu.

Amafoto y`wo munsi:Kanda hano

RWAMREC celebrates the international women`s day 2009

2009-02-28T06:52:00.000-08:00

Each year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Organisations, governments and women's groups around the world choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues.
Some years have seen global IWD themes honoured around the world, while in other years groups have preferred to 'localise' their own themes to make them more specific and relevant.

THEME: So while many people may think there is one global theme each year, this is not always correct. It is completely up to each country and group as to what appropriate theme they select.

Below are some of the global United Nation themes used for International Women's Day to date:
- 2009: Women and men united to end violence against women and girls

- 2008: Investing in Women and Girls

- 2007: Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls

- 2006: Women in decision-making

- 2005: Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future

- 2004: Women and HIV/AIDS

- 2003: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals

- 2002: Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities

- 2001: Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts

- 2000: Women Uniting for Peace

- 1999: World Free of Violence against Women

- 1998: Women and Human Rights

- 1997: Women at the Peace Table

- 1996: Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future

This year, RWAMREC will partner with the Ministry in Prime Minister`s office in charge of Gender and Family promotion together with other organizations of the Rwandan Civil society organizations.

RWANDA adopted the international theme as it reflects the national focus.

To mark the 8th March 2009, RWAMREC will carry out the following activities :

· Public sensitization on the theme of the year during the Umuganda day of 28th February 2009(Public Community work organized in all the country on each last Saturday of the month),
· Organize Radio Shaw on the theme: Women and Men united to end violence against women
· Public lecture on the theme of the year 2009 at KHI in collaboration with the Gender Club from KHI
· Peaceful march in Nyagatare district where the women’s day will be celebrated from at the national level

To view the pictures of the IWD celebration : click here.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009 free from Sexual Violence

2008-12-23T05:53:00.000-08:00

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year 2009! I hope you all had an awesome 2008 and I hope 2009 will be even greater!

Thanks to all of you for visiting our Web site. It’s been a great year for us in fighting against gender based violence and it wouldn’t have happened without all of you, so thank you.

2009 has come, where is your strength? Please let 2009 be a year of ending Gender Based Violence wherever you are. You can use your strength to prevent sexual violence in your community, even small actions and words can make a difference. Be a role model for young women and men, show others in words and actions how to respect women, reach out to girls and women experiencing violence, support the choices of women, teach girls that their bodies are their own and they have a right to live free from violence. And remember, it starts with you

Have you talked with your partner in 2008 about how to have safe and happy sex. Give it a try in 2009.

We at RWAMREC commit to preventing violence against women in 2009

What about you?

Speak out
Rich out
Stand out

Let`s begin

Fidel R
Chairman, RWAMREC

Brazil, Chile, Rwanda and India: Proving What Works in Engaging Men

2008-12-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

It is obvious that engaging men is vital to ending violence against women. But what works best to get them involved? What persuades them to change their attitudes? Will they change their actual behaviours? More

MEN to combat gender-based violence, an article published by Focus Media on Line

2008-12-01T03:02:00.000-08:00

“Seeking to engage men and boys in effective ways to reduce gender inequalities and violence and promote healthy well-being of women, men, and children.” That, according to Rwamrec’s chairperson Fidel Rutayisire, is in short the aim of Men Engage Network in Rwanda.

Rwanda Men’s Resource Center (RWAMREC) was founded in October 2006 by men with different experiences in gender and other social disciplines, in response to a growing number of cases of gender based violence, and to government’s recognition of gender as one of the pillars for the social economic development on Rwanda.

Men Engage Network is a global alliance of organizations and institutions involved in research, interventions and policy initiatives to engage men and boys in reducing gender inequalities and violence. Its Rwandan chapter, which was launched recently, is being coordinated by RWAMREC and funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

“The impact of engaging men in fighting gender based violence is crucial for promoting gender equality,” says Eugene Nkubito, the head of civil society program in UNDP.
Nkubito acknowledges Rwanda’s achievements in bringing about gender equality, and sees the launch of Men Engage Network as one of the solutions to mobilize men to support women’s leadership, contribute to eradication of men’s violence against women and act as role models for positive masculinity.

According to Egide Kayihura, one of the board members of RWAMREC, the Men Engage Network is completely in line with the organizations vision. “We want a peaceful society where women and men share roles and responsibilities of raising families and governing in equality and respect,” he explains.

Kayihura adds that RWAMREC aims at establishing a men’s resource center that will strive to prevent violence through men; promote men’s positive attitudes towards non-violence and gender equality; build synergy between men and women through networking and information sharing for effective prevention of gender based violence; and provide general and useful resources through research on gender based violence.

“We see ourselves as mediators, we want to go down to the grassroots level and sensitize men and boys on gender-based,” remarks Egide Kayihura.
“We hope that Rwandans appropriate this approach, because they are the beneficiaries of this program,” he adds. “Men are not competing with women, we are complementing each other. Given that men are traditionally more empowered by the culture, they have exactly to be defenders of families as well as the communities.”
The director of gender and women empowerment in Migeprofe, Christianne Umuhire, thinks the Men Engage Network comes at the right moment, considering that violence against women and little girls is carried out mainly by men.
“Men have to be active icons in gender promotion, and the Network will help make men as well as women conscious of these hostilities,” she says.

She also urges RWAMREC and other responsible people to target the entire population, starting from the umudugudu level. “Each and everyone has to contribute, directly or indirectly, to the organization and targeted activities of this network,” Umuhire says.

For More Details, visit Focus Media on line

RWAMREC in News Papers

2008-11-17T04:04:00.000-08:00

MEN to combat gender-based violence By Focus On line
More

Like-minded men last week gathered in a one-day workshop to discuss how best their fellow men could jump on board and join their sisters in the fight against gender-based violence(GBV).
More

RWAMREC facilitates a training in support of COOPAC in Rubavu

2008-11-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

On 18-20 September 2008, RWAMREC in collaboration with MRI facilitated a 3 day training on Men and Women in Violence Prevention and Healthy Families. This training aimed at strenthening the capacity of members and staff of a coffee cooperative named COOPAC in Rubavu with regard to violence prevention. This workshop was sponsored by Dean Cycon the Founder and owner of Dean`s Bean Campany.

To view more photos, click here

Rwanda Men's Resource Centre Coordinates a Workshop to launch the MenEngage Network and validate its 2009 action Plan

2008-11-14T04:41:00.000-08:00

On 12 November 2008, Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC), in collaboration with UNDP Rwanda, facilitated a countrywide meeting aimed at launching officially the MenEngage Netwok in Rwanda and validate its 2009 action Plan. The MenEngage Network was officially launched by the Representative of The Minister in Prime Minister`s office in charge of Gender and Family Promotion, Madam Christianne Umuhire who is the Director of Gender and Women`s empowerment. Approximately 65 participants attended the meeting, representing a range of government agencies, national and international NGOs, UN agencies, and civil society. The meeting rieviewed and adopted the one year action plan. To view the action plan, click here.

To view more pictures, click here