On 7th and 8th February 2019, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA) organized a training session for all its staff on Gender its newly developed “Gender Mainstreaming Strategy”. The training session took place at Akagera Game Lodge located in the Akagera National Park, Eastern Province. Both the development of the Gender Mainstreaming Strategy and the organization of the training session were supported by the IDEAL project thanks to funding from VNG International.
In his opening remarks, RALGA’s Secretary General, Mr. Ladislas NGENDAHIMANA said that the training session was meant to equip RALGA staff with skills to allow them to consider gender equality aspects in all their activities. These include activity strategic and periodic planning, implementation, reporting and record keeping. He added that the skills acquired will also allow them to accompany RALGA members on the journey to gender equality in line with RALGA’s mandate to build the capacity of its members, and most importantly in line with the Government of Rwanda’s policy to promote Gender Equality at all levels.
Notions acquired by participants to the training session include concepts definition such as the differences between sex as biological inherited characteristics and gender as acquired characteristics, as well as the implications on the lives of men and women as individuals or members of a society. Also discussed is Gender in the Rwandan Culture ; Policy, legal & institutional frameworks for gender integration in Rwanda ; as well as Gender Mainstreaming in an organization and in programs. The last session was the assessment of gender status at RALGA in terms of budget, human resources, planning, communication and working environment.
The training session was officially closed by RALGA’s Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Francine TUMUSHIME. In her closing remarks, she commended the participants and the trainer for highly participatory training. She encouraged the staff to put in practice the acquired skills. RALGA staff took the opportunity to visit the Akagera National Park.
