Promoting Economic Opportunity for Rwandan Women

In March 2023, Rwanda made headlines by launching their National Gender Standards initiative, which provides private sector organizations the necessary tools to implement gender-sensitive policies and practices. In recognition of this success, this report outlines policy recommendations and solutions that will allow the government to further women coffee farmers’ economic independence alongside the private sector in the Western Province. It analyzes opportunities within the existing coffee value chain to achieve Rwanda’s Vision 2050 framework in partnership with the private and public sector. The report provides policy recommendations for the Western Province based on Rwanda’s existing law and best practices across Africa and globally to increase economic opportunities for women while ensuring the ethical engagement of the private sector. 

The findings and recommendations take into consideration research data gathered from comprehensive desk research and interviews with coffee farmers, coffee washing stations (CWS) leaders, cooperative board members, government officials, sector agronomists, and cash crop officers during fieldwork conducted in the Western Province. The findings of this study illustrate opportunities for the government of the Western Province of Rwanda to engage the private sector and improve women’s economic opportunities along the coffee value chain. In addition to the economic dimensions, the report incorporates social and institutional dimensions that are intimately intertwined with women’s economic independence. The research findings and policy recommendations outlined in this report are intended to strengthen the Western Province’s position as a leader in ensuring women’s economic independence across the coffee value chain.