Relevance of Positive Masculinity in promoting Gender Equality in Rwanda.Case of RWAMREC in Bumbogo Sector (2020-2024)

Abstract

The study is Relevance of positive masculinity in promoting gender equality in Rwanda. A case of RWAMREC (2020-2024). Specifically, this study examined the current understanding and perception of masculinity in Rwandan society, explored the contributions of RWAMREC in promotion of positive masculinity in Rwanda and analyzed the contribution of positive masculinity on gender equality initiatives in Rwanda. In virtue to the main purpose of this study, researcher designed an appropriate research methodology and used the interview, documentary and questionnaire techniques to collect and analyse relevant data which allowed the researcher to obtain the following findings: Regarding the current understanding and perception of masculinity in Rwandan society, researcher revealed that Rwandan society has positive understanding and

perception on masculinity where 57.5% of the total respondents strongly disagreed that positive masculinity is a methods of neglecting men’s power and Value in Rwandan society and 42.5% disagreed with this statement. It was also observed that 65% of the total respondents strongly agreed that positive masculinity took away the men’s too much power of having the final word about decisions in their home and 35% agreed with this statement. Regarding the contributions of RWAMREC in promotion of positive masculinity in Rwanda, results shows that the majority of respondents with 57.5% strongly agreed that seminary and training prepared by RWAMREC raised my awareness on positive masculinity and 42.5% of the total respondents agreed with this statement. Also, the majority of respondents with 70% strongly agreed that Training and seminary organized by RWAMREC gave them a package on positive parenting norms that can encourage positive masculinity in new generation. On the issues of the contribution of positive masculinity on gender equality initiatives in Rwanda, results shows that 65% of the total respondents strongly agreed that the consideration of women right had increased in my family because of positive masculinity and 35% agreed with this statement. I was also observed that 55% of the total respondents strongly agreed that because of positive masculinity I decided to be a promoter of gender equality in my community and 45% agreed with this statement. On the other side 92.5% strongly agreed that positive masculinity changed parenting style in favor of gender equality. Therefore, this allows researcher to confirm that Positive masculinity have a significant contribution on gender equality initiatives in Rwanda