UN Women's Strategic Engagement During International Women’s Month 2026 in Rwanda

This year, International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 was commemorated under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.” At a time when rising conflicts, climate-related disasters, and systemic pushbacks on gender equality are placing women’s rights, wellbeing, and access to justice at increasing risk, the urgency for action has never been greater. More than a statement, this theme serves as a collective call to ensure that commitments to gender equality are matched with bold, coordinated action that delivers tangible and lasting progress for all women and girls.

At the national level, Rwanda commemorated IWD 2026 under the theme “Umugore ni Uw’Agaciro – Empowered Women, Stronger Nation.” This theme reflects the country’s strong recognition of women as central drivers of development, resilience, and social cohesion. Throughout the month of March, a series of engagements brought this vision to the centre, sparking critical reflection and dialogue, while galvanizing collective action to dismantle the persistent barriers to women’s full and holistic empowerment.

Within this context, UN Women maintained a strong and strategic presence across a range of high-level and community platforms, leveraging its convening power, partnerships, and technical expertise to shape discourse, influence action, and drive momentum.

One UN Celebration of IWD 2026: Driving Collective Action for Gender Equality

Leveraging its role as co-chair of the UN Gender, Human Rights, Disability and Inclusion (GHRDI) Group, UN Women convened a diverse range of partners from across Rwanda’s development landscape for a high level One UN commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026. Held on 24 March, under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” this event was positioned as a high-level platform to drive coherence, accountability, and collective action for GEWE across the UN system and national development mechanisms.

Beyond commemoration, this event served as a strategic platform to take stock of progress in advancing the rights of women and girls, while advancing the shared agenda of strengthening women`s access to justice, an area that remains central to achieving gender equality and inclusive development. Discussions were grounded in Rwanda’s national context while aligned with global normative frameworks, therefore enabling a comprehensive reflection on achievements alongside persistent legal, structural, and intersectional barriers.

Featuring compelling remarks from dignitaries and expert reflections across two dynamic panel discussions, the forum fostered rich and solution-oriented dialogue by unpacking the legal, policy, and structural barriers that continue to limit access, while also highlighting priority actions to strengthen inclusive, gender-responsive justice systems and accountability mechanisms.

In her remarks,the UN Women Rwanda Acting Representative, Ms. Tikikel Tadele Alemu, underscored the urgency of translating commitments into tangible outcomes, emphasizing that rights remain an abstract concept without access to justice, and that justice is only realized when actions are responsive, urgent and inclusive.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the UN system in Rwanda, the UN Resident Coordinator a.i., Dr. Fatmata Sesay, commended Rwanda’s global leadership on gender equality, while acknowledging the critical challenges that persist, particularly the intersecting barriers limiting women’s access to justice, protection, and economic opportunities. She called for strengthened synergies among national and development partners to ensure coordinated, sustained, and impactful action to address these gaps.

Through UN Women`s coordination and leadership, the platform reinforced the need for continued multi-stakeholder engagement to unpack deep-rooted barriers and foster collective momentum toward more integrated and results-driven approaches to gender equality.

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African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Rwanda: Advancing Women`s Leadership and Excellence

Aligned with IWD 2026, the AWLN Rwanda Chapter, through the National Women’s Council and with support from UN Women, convened a national summit on 26 March to celebrate and recognize women’s excellence and resilience. Bringing together women leaders from across sectors, the event provided a platform for dialogue and exchange, aimed at shaping actionable strategies to accelerate gender equality as a key driver of Rwanda’s national transformation.

Central to the summit was the “Rwanda Women’s Excellence and Resilience Awards (RWERA 2026),” which recognized outstanding women from across districts for their contributions to socio-economic transformation and community resilience. This recognition initiative elevated locally grounded models, reinforcing the tangible impact of women’s leadership at all levels.

Representing the UN system on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator a.i., the UN Women Acting Representative, Ms Tikikel Tadele, commended Rwanda's continued global leadership in GEWE and women's representation. She noted that strategic initiatives like RWERA deepen this progress by making women's contributions and achievements visible and valued, while reaffirming the UN’s commitment in Rwanda to strengthening partnerships as a key pathway to advancing gender equality and sustainable development. “Women`s excellence and resilience are not exceptions but are the foundation of Rwanda`s progress,” she underscored.

This platform contributed to reinforcing women’s leadership ecosystems, linking grassroots achievements with national dialogue and policy influence, and sustaining momentum toward inclusive governance and development.

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Ringing the Bell for Gender Equality: Driving Gender Equality Across Rwanda’s Financial Ecosystem

On 16 March, UN Women co-convened, together with the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) and other partners, the “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” event held under the global IWD 2026 theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.” The 12th edition of this annual initiative convened government officials, development partners, private sector leaders, and youth to exchange insights on advancing women’s participation and leadership across economic sectors, including capital markets. The event featured expert contributions from institutional leaders, including the Rwanda Stock Exchange, the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, UN Women, the UN Global Compact, IFC, and the Capital Market Authority, each offering perspectives on strengthening women’s financial inclusion.

In his remarks, the CEO of the Rwanda Stock Exchange, Mr. Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba, underscored the transformative power of inclusion in driving economic growth, noting: “If we educate women, we educate a nation. At the RSE we strongly believe that inclusive capital markets lead to stronger economies.”

In her remarks, the UN Women Rwanda Acting Representative, Ms. Tikikel Tadele Alemu, emphasized the need to move beyond persistent misconceptions and complacency around gender equality, noting that “gender equality is not a compliance exercise, but a fuel for innovation and lasting prosperity.” She called for increased investment in women’s leadership and enterprises, supported by concrete, actionable commitments to deliver meaningful progress for all women and girls.

Representing the Government of Rwanda, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Hon. Uwimana Consolée, urged private sector actors to intensify efforts to close persistent gender gaps. She called for a shift from pledges to measurable actions, highlighting the importance of supporting women-led businesses and promoting girls’ participation in ICT, energy, and infrastructure sectors as critical to accelerating Rwanda’s national development priorities.

UN Women emphasized that gender equality in corporate leadership is both a matter of fairness and an economic imperative. A 2026 report by the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, IFC, and UN Women shows that while progress is being made, it remains insufficient. Rwanda’s strong record in advancing women’s leadership provides a solid foundation to further accelerate women’s representation in corporate governance, executive leadership, and capital markets. Ms. Alemu further noted that initiatives such as the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are supporting companies to translate commitment into action, with a growing number of Rwandan companies joining this agenda.

A key highlight of the event was the recognition of outstanding contributions to women’s financial inclusion and literacy. Hortense Mudenge, CEO of the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), was honoured as the 2026 Women Achiever in Finance, while students from Gashora Girls Academy were recognized for their leadership in financial literacy, receiving a cash prize of RWF 2 million (approximately USD 1,377).

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Equity Women Forum 2026: Empowering Your Next Step

On 26 March, UN Women partnered with Equity Bank Rwanda and the National Gender Machinery to convene the third annual “Equity Women Forum.” Held under the theme “Empowering Your Next Step,” the forum convened key actors from Rwanda`s financial ecosystem, including government leaders, entrepreneurs, regulators, and a wide range of partners to explore practical pathways to advance women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion.

Through insightful keynote remarks, expert panel discussions, and vibrant market exhibitions, the forum underscored how access to finance, skills development, mentorship, and tailored solutions can unlock women’s economic potential and translate ambition into measurable outcomes. Across discussions, stakeholders reaffirmed that investing in women is not only a social imperative, but an economic necessity, recognizing that when women are financially included and supported, they drive household resilience, business growth, and broader national development.

Setting the tone for the summit, the UN Women Rwanda Acting Representative emphasized the strong alignment between the forum’s theme and that of IWD 2026, noting: “Rights. Justice. Action. reminds us that access to financial services and digital innovation is not a favour extended to women, it is a right that must be realised in practice.” UN Women`s engagement throughout this event, both through insightful remarks and a feature on an expert panel, brought forth the urgency needed to ensure that women are positioned and empowered to participate fully, to access opportunities without barriers, and to thrive in a rapidly evolving and digitally enabled economy.

In recognition of UN Women`s steadfast commitment to women`s economic empowerment, Equity Bank presented UN Women with the “Outstanding support and dedication to women’s empowerment in Rwanda” award - a testament to the transformative impact of the sustained partnership between the two institutions.

Building on this momentum, the renewed collaboration under the joint Memorandum of Understanding between UN Women and Equity Bank aims to deliver strategic joint interventions that will equip women with the skills, knowledge, and financial services needed to drive their economic prosperity.

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Advancing Women`s Rights Through Holistic Wellness

This IWD 2026, women’s wellbeing emerged as a central pillar of national discourse, reflecting a growing recognition of its integral role in advancing gender equality and sustainable development. Against the backdrop of persistent structural barriers within households, communities, and broader socio-economic systems, UN Women, in partnership with diverse stakeholders, strategically leveraged multiple platforms to elevate and unpack women’s wellness as a multidimensional issue. These engagements positioned wellbeing not only as a social priority, but as a critical enabler of women’s agency, economic participation, and overall national prosperity.

Investing in Women’s Wellness to Drive Equality and Justice

Ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, on 7 March, UN Women, Equity Bank Foundation and partners came together for “Wellness Day 2026”, an initiative underscoring a shared commitment to women’s health and wellbeing as a cornerstone of gender equality, women’s rights, and justice. The event featured a range of activities, including an energizing sports session, team-building exercises, and culminated in a dynamic dialogue with prominent women leaders from across sectors. The discussion highlighted practical pathways to advance women’s wellness as a key enabler of leadership, economic empowerment, and overall wellbeing.

Through active participation, UN Women leveraged this platform to underscore the intrinsic linkages between wellness and justice, highlighting that investments in women’s physical health, mental wellbeing, and economic security are critical to addressing widespread household and community issues, including gender-based violence in all its forms. UN Women encouraged participants to be champions for gender equality within their spheres of influence, ensuring that women and girls have the rights and resources to be healthy, and the justice to access the care, support and opportunities they need to flourish.

An engaging panel featuring women leaders from diverse sectors sparked a powerful dialogue on authentic leadership, wellbeing, and collective responsibility, emphasizing that true leadership is rooted in self-awareness, purpose, and the unique value each woman brings. Central to the discussion was the critical role of mental health, with a strong call for women to prioritize balance, set boundaries, and draw on support systems such as mentorship to thrive. The conversation also highlighted the urgent need for collective action to address gender-based violence, stressing the importance of creating safe and inclusive workplaces, while strengthening awareness of existing laws and policies to reinforce prevention efforts to ensure women’s wellbeing across all aspects of life.

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Car Free Day 2026: Mobilizing Public Momentum for Gender Equality

On 8 March, the City of Kigali marked International Women’s Day through a special “Car Free Day” Sunday, leveraging an established, high-visibility community platform to advance national dialogue on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Led by the First Lady of Rwanda, H.E. Jeannette Kagame, under the national theme “Empowered Women, Stronger Nation,” the event mobilized high-level leadership alongside the general public, reinforcing Rwanda`s commitment to gender equality as central pillar of national development.

As a strategic public engagement opportunity, the event combined a march of solidarity between two iconic landmarks with a mass fitness session and targeted awareness messaging, creating a visible and participatory demonstration of national unity around women’s empowerment. Beyond commemoration, the “Car Free Day” illustrated the value of leveraging non-traditional platforms, such as sports and community wellness spaces, to broaden outreach, shift social norms, and embed gender equality within everyday public life, thereby amplifying both reach and impact of IWD2026 advocacy efforts.

Building on this momentum, UN Women also participated in the subsequent International Women’s Day Wellness Workshop organized by Lead Access Rwanda, a local organization that is focused on advancing women's leadership, visibility and coaching. Extending the focus on physical activity, the workshop created space for deeper dialogue on critical aspects of women’s wellbeing, including nutrition, motherhood, and mental health.

As a guest of honor, the UN Women Acting Representative`s participation in this event outlined the centrality of women`s wellbeing as a foundational driver of inclusive growth and long-term prosperity, positioning such investments as strategic pathways to achieving gender equality and wider sustainable development outcomes.

Acknowledging the progress made in advancing women’s leadership and GEWE, Ms. Alemu underlined that these gains must translate into the everyday well-being of women and girls, including freedom from violence, access to quality services, and opportunities to thrive, as well as recognising the value of unpaid care work. The importance of sustained partnerships across government, the private sector, civil society, and communities to remove barriers and expand opportunities was further emphasized.

Sharing inspiring insights, the Minister of Sports, Hon. Nelly Mukazayire, underscored the vital role of an active lifestyle in advancing women’s holistic wellness. She encouraged women to embrace sports not only as a pathway to physical health, but as a transformative tool for building emotional strength, mental resilience, and the confidence to thrive within their families, communities, and beyond.

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Positioning Care as a Catalyst for Women’s Leadership and Empowerment

Concluding IWD 2026 engagements, on 28 March, UN Women engaged with Umubyeyi Elevate for the 2026 “Mama, You Matter” Women’s Wellness Day. Held under the theme “Becoming Whole Through Care,” the event brought together women from diverse sectors to explore wellness as a holistic journey, encompassing emotional resilience, mental wellbeing, financial security, leadership, and digital inclusion.

Sparking critical reflections through her keynote remarks, the UN Women Acting Representative spotlighted the entrenched beliefs and norms that compromise women`s well-being. Aligned with both the global and national IWD2026 themes, her interventions showcased how care, as both a social responsibility disproportionally placed on women, whilst also an avenue to promote women`s wellness can catalyze women`s “Rights, Justice and Action”. She encouraged participants to recognize wellness as a critical pillar of national development, one that must be intentionally embedded across systems, policies, and social norms, emphasizing that “Women’s wellness and care are not luxuries, but necessities. They are the foundations to dignity, opportunity and justice.”

Delivering compelling remarks, the Minister of ICT & Innovation, Hon. Paula Ingabire underscored the multiple roles women navigate across households and communities, often at the expense of their wellbeing. She called on women to be intentional about their presence by clearly defining priorities, and encouraged the purposeful use of technology to support wellbeing, balance, and productivity, laying the foundation for long-term resilience and growth.

UN Women’s engagement in this event attested to its broader commitment to advancing women’s wellness as a core component of gender equality and sustainable development. It highlighted the importance of moving beyond policy gains to ensure that women and girls experience tangible improvements in their daily lives, including access to quality services, protection from violence, and reduced burdens of unpaid care work, so they can fully participate and thrive in all spheres of life. 

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As Rwanda and its partners move beyond the commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026, the focus now turns to sustaining momentum and translating commitments into measurable impact. Building on the reflections and partnerships strengthened throughout March, there is a renewed imperative to accelerate the implementation of gender equality commitments, dismantle persistent structural barriers, and ensure that justice systems are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all women and girls.