Engaging Men for Care Equality - Scaling Bandebereho in Rwanda

Despite a strong policy environment on gender equality in Rwanda, women typically perform 75% of household unpaid care work. The unequal burden is fuelled by rigid gender norms that ascribe care work to women. This has profound implications for women and girls. It impedes their education and access to paid work, limits leisure time and drains physical and psychological reserves. Interventions that address norms around unpaid care work are critical for reducing and redistributing the unpaid care work disproportionately shouldered by women and girls.

Using parenthood as a springboard for growth

This project supports the scaling of Bandebereho (role model), a program in Rwanda that engages men to challenge harmful gender norms, foster more equitable relationships, and promote caregiving by men. Recognizing that the transition to parenthood is a time when couples may be more open to change, the program works with soon-to-be parents or those with children under five years of age.

Boosting men’s participation in care work

The Bandebereho program has proven effective in fostering men’s engagement in caregiving. With many men motivated to become more involved in their children’s lives, the program uses fatherhood as an entry point to work with men to promote gender equality and engage them in caregiving. This project aims to further adapt and scale Bandebereho in three districts through the health system, while also supporting the inclusion of women with disabilities.