The Government of Rwanda has demonstrated an unprecedented strong political-will in the promotion of gender equality. National and international gender equality commitments have been translated into the adoption of policy and legal frameworks which include but are not limited to a the gender responsive Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 04^th June 2003 as revised in 2015, various gender sensitive laws, Vision 2020, NST1, the National Gender Policy as well as various national strategies and plans, etc. All these frameworks consider gender equality as a prerequisite to the achievement of equitable and sustainable development for women and men, girls and boys.

In addition to the legal and policy frameworks, the Government of Rwanda has also established institutional frameworks which include Ministry of Gender and Family promotion, the National Women Council and the Gender Monitoring Office. These institutional settings lay a solid ground for the promotion and accountability to gender equality.

The Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 4^th June 2003 as revised in 2015 mainly consecrates the principle of equality in rights and duties for all Rwandans and equality before the law. Equality of all Rwandans and between women and men  is especially reflected  in  the constitutional fundamental principles in its Article 9, paragraph 4 by ensuring that women are granted at -least thirty per cent of positions in decision making organs. This commitment is based on the consideration that gender equality is a pre-requisite to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.

From a policy perspective, the 2012 National Decentralization Policy^[1] recognizes gender equality and social inclusiveness as a principle in protecting gender differentiated interests and needs and in providing equal opportunities to participate in governance and development activities at all levels.

To ensure that Gender equality principles are translated into action, the Government of Rwanda through the Constitution mandated Gender Monitoring Office to oversee and monitor the implementation of gender related commitments. In this regards and since 2011, the Office monitored gender responsiveness of 2011 and 2016 local electoral processes and documented progress made in terms of respecting gender equality principles. This journey has been supported by various partners including ONE UN especially UN Women under its different programs implemented with the national Gender machinery institutions over the years.

In an effort to sustain achieved results and continue tracking Rwanda’s progress in complying to gender equality principles in the electoral processes, GMO and its stakeholders intends to continue its efforts of monitoring gender responsiveness of local electoral. For the preparedness of observers, the Office with the support of UN Women would like to recruit a Gender expert to support on the preparatory activities ahead of the monitoring of gender responsiveness in the local electoral processes.  All relevent information and guideline can be downloaded HERE.