Kigali, Rwanda — The air in Kigali was charged with excitement and reflection as young people, government officials, and partners came together to celebrate the closing of the Generation Gender (GenG) program — a five-year journey that has empowered youth, challenged harmful gender norms, and advanced the fight against gender-based violence across Rwanda.
What began five years ago as a vision to amplify youth voices and transform gender relations has today become a vibrant movement — one that has shaped conversations, inspired communities, and built a generation of young Rwandans ready to lead change.
From Vision to Movement
Fidel Rutayisire The Executive Director of Rwanda Men Resource Centre
“Empowering young people is not just about the future — it’s about transforming the present,” said RWAMREC’s Executive Director, opening the ceremony with a reflection that resonated deeply with the audience.
The Generation Gender program, implemented by RWAMREC in partnership with HDI an and AfriYAN, has worked tirelessly to shift mindsets, promote equality, and ensure that young people — especially young women and men — have the tools and spaces to lead.
Through advocacy, training, and storytelling, the program has inspired youth leaders to stand up against gender-based violence, question stereotypes, and create communities where respect and equality thrive.
Conversations that Spark Change
One of the event’s most anticipated moments was the panel discussion: “Challenging Harmful Gender Norms in Rwanda – What Worked? What Could Have Been Done Better?”
Dynamic voices such as @AfriYAN_Rwanda’s Country Director, @RGisanintwari, @KezaDiana, and GenG Communication Officer, @RahmatUmuhoza, shared powerful reflections from the field — lessons learned, challenges faced, and stories of transformation that proved that gender equality is not just an idea, but a lived reality when young people take the lead.
Their stories echoed a shared truth: progress happens when we dare to question the norms that hold us back, and when we choose dialogue over silence.
A Call to Sustain the Momentum
Umubyeyi Marie Mediatrice The Executive Secretary of national Women’s Council
Representing the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), Madame Umubyeyi Marie Mediatrice, the Guest of Honor, reminded the audience that the end of the program is not the end of the journey.
“As we celebrate five years of success, we must remember that gender justice is a lifelong commitment. We must keep the momentum alive, continue empowering youth, and ensure that equality remains at the heart of Rwanda’s development,” she said.
Her words underscored a key message of the event: the Generation Gender movement may be closing a chapter, but its story continues through every young person it has inspired.
The Legacy Lives On
As the celebration unfolded, participants shared heartfelt testimonies, creative performances, and artistic expressions that brought the program’s impact to life. From rural youth advocates to student leaders and community changemakers, their stories reflected hope — and proof that Rwanda’s next generation is determined to build a more just and equal society.
For many, the event was not just a closure, but a reminder of how far they’ve come — and how much further they can go.
The Generation Gender program may have concluded, but its spirit lives on in every conversation that challenges inequality, in every young woman who dares to lead, and in every young man who chooses to stand for change.