Abstract:
This study, titled "Gender Quotas Policy in Local Government Institutions and the Promotion of Gender Equality in Rwanda: A Case Study of the City of Kigali" explores the perceptions of city of Kigali Council members on gender quota policies, investigates their role in showcasing women's capabilities, assesses their contribution to gender equality, and identifies challenges in their implementation and the recommendations strategies to address them. Using a descriptive research design with a mixed-methods approach, the study targeted 726 council members from which a sample size of 88 was selected through cluster and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected via questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis, with descriptive statistics and thematic analysis applied. Findings reveal that gender quotas have significantly increased female representation, improved governance quality, ensured women's voices in decision-making, and showcased their leadership and decision-making skills. Gender quotas have also enhanced women's professional growth, promoted gender equality, and improved attitudes toward gender equality. However, challenges such as cultural attitudes, lack of political will, public skepticism, tokenism, and legal barriers persist. Recommendations include enhancing awareness and training programs, strengthening political commitment and support, addressing public skepticism through outreach and engagement, implementing rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and promoting genuine inclusion to prevent tokenism.
