ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION (NGOs) IN PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RWANDA CASE OF WOMEN FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL IN GASABO DISTRICT (2020-2024)

Abstract

This research intended to find out how Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) contributed on promoting gender equality in Rwanda, the case of Women for Women International in Gasabo District (2020-2024)”, A Case of Women for Women in Gasabo District. The specific objectives were to identify the different programs undertaken by WfW and to find out the challenges faced WfW while implementing its projects. The study findings are intended to help the Ministry of Local Government(MINALOC) to manage NGOs’ interventions, serve as a guide for Gasabo

13 District planning for promoting gender equality and women empowerment in Rwanda, and help NGOs and their donors promote gender equality and women empowerment in Rwanda. With the analytical methodology, 96 target populations were chosen by using a simple random sampling technique. The data was collected through a questionnaire administered to the respondents to collect adequate information; data were recorded and presented using frequencies. The research found that 71.4% of respondents said that WfW strives to connect to advocate for women and girls, while 10.4% of respondents disagreed with the statement. WfW is facing challenges while promoting gender equality and women empowerment in Gasabo District as 100% agreed that women's poverty is one of the challenges faced by WfW while trying to improve the citizens in Gasabo District same as a misunderstanding of the society towards gender equality and women empowerment, meanwhile, resources constraints with 52% same as religion belief while 10.4% of respondents were neutral with that statement. furthermore,64.5% of respondents agreed that WfW encountered by low level of education of women. Besides, 72.9% of respondents agreed that increasing the level of education and capacity building is another challenge while provision of adequate resources with 67.7%, creation of different projects for women with 78.1%. The result of this study shows that 88.5% of the majority of respondents said that GBV cases reduced after the implementation of the WfW programs and activities in Gasabo District.From the results, 83.3% of the majority of respondents said that women’s numeracy, savings, and vocational and business training has increased after the implementation of the WfW programs and activities in Gasabo District and rights, family, decision making has increased after after the implementation of the WfW programs and activities in Gasabo District .The government is recommended to improving infrastructure in Gasabo District and to empower women through creation of different projects for women is a strategy to overcome those challenges.