Aimee Marie Ange TUMUKUNDE Growing cooperative: Gender Factor (Case of RWANDA) 1

Plan 2 I. General context II. Inception of cooperative policy and Legal frame work III. Participation of women in cooperatives IV. Conclusion and recommendations

I. General Context (1) 3 The Government of Rwanda recognizes the need of promoting gender equality as part of its strategy for poverty reduction and realization of vision This political will was materialized not only by ratifying of international conventions and agreements such as the CEDAW, MDGs especially MDG 3 but also by putting in place various institutions such as Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, National Women Council, Gender Monitoring Office and many other local NGOs for women empowerment and advocacy. The GoR also developed policies and strategies for this purpose.

I. General Context (2) 4 As illustrated in the Vision 2020, The Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 04 June 2003 and EDPRS, gender is a cross-cutting issue. This implies that gender need to be considered in all sectors to ensure that gender equality is promoted. Rwanda has set a target of achieving equity in education and having 50% of women in non-farming employment and 50% of women in the parliament by 2015 (MDG Country Report, 2010).

I. General context (3) 5 The Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 04 June 2003 also legislates for at least 30% of all members of the cabinet, judges and members of public and private bodies to be women.  If there is a good progress in some areas such as those mentioned above, there remain challenges to monitor the progress on gender equality in other critical socio-economic areas. Agriculture, employment and private sector have been targeted by the strategic plan for the implementation of the national gender policy to increase economic opportunities for both women and men.

I. General Context (4) 6 To address this issue, Cooperatives have played a significant role in Rwanda’s socioeconimic transformation as evidenced in the national development agenda (Vision 2020). In the Vision, the Government is convinced that Cooperatives will contribute enormous social benefits to citizens. Indeed, the Government of Rwanda views Cooperatives as a potential vehicle through which the Cooperatives members could create employment and expand access to income-generating activities, develop their business potential, including entrepreneurial and managerial capacities through education and training; increase savings and investment, and improve social well-being with special emphasis on gender equality, housing, education, health care and community development.

II. Inception of cooperative policy and legal frame work (7) 7  The enactment of the Cooperative Policy was a strong Government commitment to the cooperative sector, a true recognition of the importance of cooperatives in job creation, mobilizing resources, generating investment and their contribution to the economy, and also enhancing social inclusion.  Law n° 50/2007 of 18/09/2007 determines the establishment, organization and functioning of Cooperative Organizations in the country. The law obliges Cooperative Organizations to respond to the needs of their members who are entitled to equal participation and share.  The Law also constitutes the structure of cooperative movement in Rwanda, including Primary Cooperatives, Unions of Cooperatives, Federations and Confederation.

NCCR FEDERATION UNION FEDERATION UNION CCC CCCCC CCCCCC CCC CCC CCCCCC STRUCTURE OF COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN RWANDA C

III. Participation of women in cooperatives (9) 9 ActivityNumberMale%Female%Total member AGRI , , LIVESTOCK , , SERVICE , , HANDCRAFT , , TRADING , , MINING , , FISHING , , OTHER COOPS , , Sub Total , ,

III. Participationof women in cooperative (9) 10 ActivityNumberMale%Female%Total member UMURENGE SACCOs416 1,029,597 57,7% %1, Other SACCOs49 168, , TOTAL5569 1,485, ,123,

IV. Conclusion and recommendations (10) 11  Women contribute immensely to the national economy in addition to reproductive activities and community work. The income obtained is mainly used on meeting family food, health and education needs. There are two windows that can be used as tools to reinforce the emancipation of women : these include being lead woman and being member of cooperative. In development of policies and programs by public and private stakeholders, it’s very important to have a particular attention on gender activities such as programs related to access on trainings opportunities, access to financial services, etc.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION