Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 in Rwanda: A Unified Commitment to Gender Equality

National Celebration of IWD in Rwanda

Rwanda marked International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 under the global theme “For All Women and Girls: Equality, Rights, and Empowerment” and the national theme “Empower Her: Shape the Future Generation” translated in Kinyarwanda “Umugore ni Uw’Agaciro.” UN Women Rwanda played a central role in leading advocacy and collaborating with key partners to amplify the message of women’s empowerment, equality, and inclusion across a series of impactful events.

On March 8th, the national commemoration took place in Ngororero District, uniting the Government of Rwanda, development partners, and local communities. The event featured powerful testimonies, cultural performances, and community-led activities, all celebrating women’s contributions to Rwanda’s development. UN Women extended direct support to 76 vulnerable, women-led households in Matyazo and Hindiro sectors through the national women’s council, providing 1000 liter water tanks to them. Community members, including Emmanuel Havugimana, who received the water tanks, shared heartfelt testimonies, highlighting the positive impact particularly in reducing water scarcity and enabling children to focus on their education instead of fetching water from distant locations. Families impacted by crop damage also received food supplies, livestock and cooking stoves as a contribution to alleviating unpaid care burdens and strengthening economic resilience.

Senior government officials, led by the speaker of Parliament Gertrude Kazarwa, echoed the need for greater solidarity among women, emphasizing education as a key to a prosperous future. She urged women to engage with financial institutions and reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to address systemic challenges such as digital literacy, limited access to collateral, discriminatory financial products and services etc.

Tikikel Tadele Alemu, speaking on behalf of the UN System and UN Women Rwanda’s Country Representative, commended Rwanda’s unwavering commitment to gender equality and extended appreciation to the Government of Rwanda for its leadership in making the celebrations possible. She emphasized that while progress has been made, achieving true gender equality requires sustained efforts from all sectors of society, and that these moments of celebration provide an opportunity to reflect on the barriers that persist and renew our commitment to addressing them.

“As we celebrate, let us also commit to pushing forward. Every woman and girl deserve respect, safety, education, and opportunities to succeed. Together, we can build a Rwanda and a world where all women and girls live with dignity and achieve their full potential.” Tikikel added.

She closed her remarks by quoting UN Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres’ rallying IWD message “When the doors of equal opportunity are open for women and girls, everyone wins. Equal societies are more prosperous and peaceful – and the foundation of sustainable development.”

Ringing the Bell for Gender Equality

Complementing the national event, UN Women co-hosted the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality on March 7th at Kigali Serena Hotel, alongside the Rwanda Stock Exchange, UN Global Compact, and International Finance Corporation (IFC). This high-level gathering convened finance sector stakeholders, women leaders, students, media, and development partners. Discussions underscored the critical role the private sector including financial institutions and stock exchanges can play in urgent issues, including to close gender gaps in women’s entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, participation in labour force, and leadership in decision making. The event spotlighted the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) as a strategic framework, calling on companies to scale up gender-responsive procurement. Women-owned businesses in Rwanda currently receive only 4% of total government tenders.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba, CEO of the Rwanda Stock Exchange, emphasized the critical role that stock markets globally must play in advancing gender equality. He highlighted the responsibility of financial markets alongside investors, shareholders, and CEOs to champion and implement inclusive policies that ensure equal pay, equitable leadership opportunities, and inclusive workplaces. Stressing that gender equality is both a moral imperative and an economic necessity, Celestin called for the bell rung today to echo across boardrooms, institutions, schools, and communities not as a symbol of aspiration, but as a call to deliver real, accountable change.

Speaking at the event, Tikikel Tadele Alemu, UN Women’s Programme Management Specialist commended the Rwanda Stock Exchange for championing the annual event. "More than a symbol, the significance of 'Ringing the Bell' highlights the essential role the private sector plays in advancing gender equality and fostering women's empowerment.” 

Tikikel acknowledged Rwanda’s significant progress in advancing women’s socio-economic empowerment while underscoring the urgent need to address persistent barriers through targeted action. She called on the private sector and financial markets to lead by example by developing inclusive financial products, setting gender equality benchmarks, sharing gender-disaggregated data, and upholding standards on women’s leadership, equal pay, and sexual harassment.

The Equity Women’s Forum

On 28 March, UN Women Rwanda, in partnership with Equity Bank Rwanda Plc, hosted the annual Women’s Forum, bringing together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and key partners to explore the intersection of financial inclusion, technology, and women’s economic empowerment. Held as part of the International Women’s Day and Women’s Month celebrations, the forum provided a platform to reflect on Rwanda’s achievements in advancing women in business, while addressing persistent challenges and identifying next steps toward achieving full financial inclusion and economic independence for women across the country and the continent.

In her remarks, Jennet Kem, UN Women Representative to Rwanda, emphasized the importance of financial inclusion as a cornerstone of women’s empowerment. She called the forum’s theme timely and relevant, noting that women’s rights are fundamental human rights and that empowering women economically benefits entire societies. She highlighted the need to address gender stereotypes and systemic exclusion by investing in tailored solutions, such as coaching, financial literacy, and customized financial products for women entrepreneurs.

Guest of Honour Soraya Hakuziyaremye, the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, echoed this message, affirming that empowering women is a national priority, not a favor. She described the forum as more than a convening of stakeholders—it is a space where commitments are translated into concrete actions. She emphasized that economically empowering women means strengthening the entire nation, and praised the collective resolve to dismantle barriers and open doors for women-led growth.

Equity Bank Rwanda’s Managing Director, Hannington Namara, also reaffirmed the financial sector’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs. He noted that the bank has introduced a range of programmes designed to provide not only access to finance but also the tools women need to succeed such as financial literacy and business management support. Highlighting the reliability and strength of women clients, Namara stressed that when women are trusted with resources, businesses flourish, families thrive, and communities prosper.

Special IWD2025 ‘Car-Free Day’

The IWD celebrations in Rwanda entailed a month-long series of sports events across the country, including the vibrant special ‘Car-Free Day’ sports activities in Kigali on 9th March. This initiative led by the Ministry of Sports in partnership with Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, the National Women Council, and National Sports Federations aimed to promote health, community engagement, and physical wellbeing. This year’s IWD theme strategically integrated sports to promote greater female participation in disciplines such as cycling, basketball, volleyball, and football, rapidly growing among young girls. UN Women joined efforts to spotlight the unique barriers women and girls face in the sports sector, and to promote inclusive, gender-responsive practices that challenge stereotypes, foster leadership, and expand opportunities.

UN Rwanda IWD2025 Joint Celebration

To wrap up the IWD celebrations in Rwanda, on 25 March 2025, the UN Gender, Human Rights, Diversity, and Inclusion Team (GHRD&I) hosted a joint International Women’s Day celebration in Kigali under the theme “Rights. Equality. Empowerment for All Women and Girls: Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives.” The event aligned with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and Rwanda’s national theme “Empowered Women: Stronger Nation”, and brought together UN agencies and partners to reflect on Rwanda’s progress in gender equality, while acknowledging persistent challenges such as gender-based violence and economic disparities.

The event was opened by the UN Team in Rwanda, led by the UN Women Country Representative, performing the International Women’s anthem titled “It’s Time”, a powerful call for urgent and collective action towards gender equality. The song amplifies the voices of women and girls globally, urging communities, leaders, and institutions to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and uphold equal rights. Through its uplifting rhythms celebrates achievements made while reminding us of the unfinished work toward justice and inclusion.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Jennet Kem, UN Women Country Representative reiterated a fundamental truth: “women’s rights are human rights, and human rights are women’s rights, they are non negotaible.” Key speakers included UN Women Representative, Jennet Kem, and UNICEF Representative Lieke Van De Wiel, who both emphasized the need for bold policy reforms, strategic investments, and united action to counter pushbacks against gender equality.

A high-level panel discussion, moderated by UNDP Resident Representative Fatmata Lovetta Sesay, focused on positive masculinity, gender-responsive budgeting, and systemic transformation. Panelists stressed Rwanda’s progressive legal frameworks for addressing gender-based violence and underscored the importance of gender-transformative approaches. The discussion also reflected on the legacy of the Beijing Conference and its influence on Rwanda’s gender-inclusive governance, reaffirming the urgency of fully implementing the Beijing Platform for Action.

In closing, UNFPA Deputy Representative Renata Tallarico called for multisectoral efforts to address critical issues such as maternal health, digital inequality, and youth empowerment. The celebration reinforced the vital role of young women and girls as catalysts for transformative change.