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By Annonciata Byukusenge
As Rwanda advances its ambitious development agenda under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050, one message is becoming increasingly clear: progress will not be complete unless women and girls are fully included.
Against this backdrop, UN Women Rwanda officially launched its Strategic Note 2026–2029, a four-year roadmap designed to deepen gender equality, strengthen institutions, and support women’s leadership across the country. The national launch brought together government leaders, development partners, civil society, the private sector, and the United Nations system for a shared conversation on how to move from commitment to action.
The event will mark more than the unveiling of a document. It signaled a renewed approach, one that places policy influence, institutional strengthening, and catalytic partnerships at the center of UN Women’s work in Rwanda over the next four years.
Responding to a changing development landscape
Rwanda’s development gains over the past decades are widely recognized. However, the context in which those gains must now be sustained is becoming more complex. Climate change, demographic pressures, regional instability, and persistent gender inequalities continue to affect women and girls disproportionately. Without deliberate and coordinated responses, these challenges risk slowing or even reversing progress already made.
The Strategic Note 2026–2029 responds directly to this reality. Fully aligned with Rwanda’s national priorities, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2025–2029), and global commitments such as the Beijing Declaration and the Sustainable Development Goals, the strategy positions UN Women as a long-term, strategic partner to national institutions and stakeholders.
“Our focus is not only on delivering programs but on shaping systems that work for women and girls,” one UN Women representative noted during the launch. “That means stronger policies, better financing, and institutions that are truly gender-responsive.”
From policy to impact
The new Strategic Note places particular emphasis on three interconnected areas: gender-responsive governance, inclusive economic transformation, and women’s leadership. Rather than working in isolation, the strategy promotes collaboration across sectors, recognizing that lasting change requires coordinated effort from government, development partners, civil society, and the private sector.
During the launch, participants reflected on lessons learned from the previous Strategic Note, highlighting successful partnerships and innovations that have contributed to advancing women’s rights and opportunities. A short documentary showcased key achievements from past programming, offering a reminder that progress is possible when commitment is matched with investment and action.
The presence of high-level leaders, including the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion and the UN Resident Coordinator, underscored the national importance of the strategy. Their remarks emphasized that gender equality is not a standalone issue but a foundation for sustainable development, social cohesion, and economic growth.
Building ownership and partnerships
Beyond awareness, the national launch aimed to build shared ownership of the strategic note among stakeholders. More than 100 participants from government institutions, bilateral agencies, women’s rights organizations, financial institutions, media, and UN agencies engaged in discussions on translating the strategy into tangible results.
Reflections from development partners highlighted the need for continued collaboration, particularly in mobilizing resources and aligning investments with national gender priorities. Many speakers emphasized that achieving transformative outcomes for women and girls will require sustained political will, innovative financing, and inclusive partnerships.
Looking Ahead
As Rwanda advances toward its Vision 2050 goals, the UN Women Rwanda Strategic Note 2026–2029 offers a clear framework for ensuring that women and girls are not left behind. It calls for intentional action across policies, institutions, and financing systems to accelerate progress and protect hard-won gains.
The national launch served as a starting point, not an endpoint. With the strategy now officially in place, attention turns to implementation, coordination, and accountability. For UN Women and its partners, the next four years represent an opportunity to deepen impact and help shape a future where gender equality is not an aspiration but a lived reality for all women and girls in Rwanda.
