RDF ORGANISES GENDER RETREAT TO STRENGTHEN GENDER MAINSTREAMING AND EMPOWERMENT

The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has launched a Three-Day Gender Retreat under the theme, “Gender Mainstreaming and Empowerment in the Rwanda Defence Force.” Held at the Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, Bugesera District, the retreat brings together male and female senior officers, junior officers, and other ranks to reinforce efforts aimed at promoting gender equality and inclusion across all RDF institutions.

During the opening session, Maj Gen Alexis Kagame, the Reserve Force Chief of Staff (RFCOS) speaking on behalf of the RDF Chief of Defence Staff expressed deep appreciation to HE Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda and Commander-in-Chief of the RDF, for his unwavering support in order to achieve the overall goal of improving gender equality and equity.

The RFCOS highlighted the importance of the retreat in advancing gender mainstreaming and empowering within RDF. He noted that the initiative reflects the RDF leadership’s commitment to strengthening institutional values in line with national priorities, and international obligations and commitments on gender.

Over the three days, participants will review achievements in gender mainstreaming and empowerment, discuss robust measures to prevent and address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within the RDF and military families, and assess the ongoing implementation of the 2023 Gender Management Policy.