Rwanda has made history by becoming the first country in Africa to introduce a national standard for certifying institutions that comply with gender equality and inclusivity principles.
The milestone was marked during a ceremony held at the Kigali Convention Centre on Wednesday evening, on the sidelines of the ongoing ISO Annual Meeting taking place in Kigali.
For the first time, Rwanda awarded 25 organizations with gender equality compliance certificates, recognizing their adherence to the newly established national guideline.
The event was attended by the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolée Uwimana, the Director General of the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), Raymond Murenzi, the President of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Dr. Sung Hwan Cho, and other dignitaries.
Since 2017, Rwanda has been assessing institutions across public and private sectors to monitor how they implement gender equality in recruitment, promotion, remuneration, and workplace inclusiveness.
The findings revealed persistent gaps, prompting RSB to create a new benchmark known as the RS 560:2023 Standard — a certification mark designed to recognize and encourage organizations that actively promote gender equality and inclusivity in the workplace.
Minister Consolée Uwimana hailed the launch as a historic moment in Rwanda’s ongoing journey toward equality and sustainable development.
“We are proud to witness this day when Rwandan institutions have committed to supporting gender equality until they meet the standards required for certification,” she said. “Sustainable development can only be achieved when every member of society participates equally.”
She emphasized that while the RS 560:2023 certification begins in Rwanda, it carries global significance as a model for promoting gender equality through measurable standards.
“We are introducing RS 560:2023 as a world-class standard for gender equality that contributes to social progress and sustainable development,” she added. “Let us work together and hold ourselves accountable in making gender equality a way of life.”
According to RSB Director General Raymond Murenzi, the certification initiative aims to integrate gender equality principles into Rwanda’s quality assurance system and promote responsible business practices.
He noted that the standard will help bridge existing gaps while positioning Rwanda as a global leader in linking quality, inclusivity, and sustainability.
The launch of the RS 560:2023 Standard coincides with the ISO Annual Meeting, which has brought global experts to Kigali to discuss innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in standardization.
Rwanda’s pioneering step is expected to inspire other African nations to adopt similar frameworks, further reinforcing the country’s leadership in gender equity and governance reform.
