The MenEngage Network was officially launched by the Representative of the Minister in Prime Minister's office in charge of Gender and Family Promotion, Madam Christiane Umuhire, who is the Director of Gender and Women's empowerment.
“I believe that the MenEngage Network will play a key role to effectively engage men and boys to work in partnership with women to end violence, and actively participate in reproductive health and HIV/ AIDS prevention, the promotion of women and children's rights, poverty reduction and gender promotion strategies, in an effort to promote socio-economic development of our country in line with our vision 2020”, said the Mrs Umuhire.
The President of the Rwanda Men's Resource Centre, Fidele Rutayisire, briefed participants on the 2009 action plan. “This action plan reflects a context that aims at promoting gender equality as a development issue for women and men on one hand, and responding to the good will of various partners and actors to integrate the MenEngage approach in all existing interventions related to reproductive health and family planning, gender based violence, the fight against HIV/AIDS, human rights protection, socio-economic development and other key sectors of interest as it has been recommended in the consultation conference held in this room in June”, he said.
Speaking at the launching event, Eugene Nkubito who spoke on behalf of the U ND P highlighted the importance of engaging men in fighting HIV and gender based violence. “In Rwanda, as well as other countries, interventions often only address men as the root of the problem—perpetrating violence and spreading HIV—but more needs to be done to proactively engage men as partners in the fight against HIV and GBV and the promotion of human rights, reproductive health and gender equality”, he noted. He commended Rwanda 's ongoing efforts to empower women and girls economically and socially.
Nkubito reiterated the commitment of the UN in Rwanda to promote gender equality and fight gender based violence. “The UN is committed to achieving the MDG 3 and ensuring women's economic security, food security and, more generally, personal security with regard to controlling their reproductive health and living without the threat of violence”, he said.
Approximately 65 participants attended the meeting, representing a range of government agencies, national and international NGOs, UN agencies, and civil society. The meeting reviewed and adopted the one year action plan for MenEngage Rwanda.
"A MenEngage Network launched in Rwanda"
Rwanda
