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The ‘doing’ and ‘undoing’ of male household decision-making and economic authority in Rwanda and its implications for gender transformative programming

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 09:23 authored by Erin Stern, Lori Heise, Lyndsay Mclean HilkerLyndsay Mclean Hilker
This paper explores two key norms that can underpin intimate partner violence (IPV) in Rwanda: men’s role as economic provider and decision-making authority in the household. It describes the political, legal and socio-economic factors affecting these norms and how they create opportunities and barriers to ‘undoing’ restrictive gender norms. The findings are drawn from an evaluation of Inadshyikirwa, an IPV prevention programme operating in Rwanda. Across 3 intervention sectors, 24 focus groups were conducted with unmarried and married men and women residing in intervention communities. 30 interviews with couples and 9 interviews with opinion leaders were conducted before they completed programme trainings designed to shift gender norms underlying IPV. The data indicates a strong awareness of and accountability to Rwandan laws and policies supporting women’s economic empowerment and decision-making, yet also persisting traditional notions of men as household heads and primary breadwinners. Transgression of these norms could be accommodated in some circumstances, especially those involving economic necessity. The data also identified an increasing recognition of the value of a more equitable partnership model. This paper highlights the importance of carefully assessing cracks in the existing gender order that can be exploited to support gender equality and non-violence.

Funding

Impact Evaluation of Indashyikirwa: A community-level programme to prevent gender violence in Rwanda; G2186; DfiD via Social Development Direct Ltd

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Culture, Health and Sexuality

ISSN

1369-1058

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Issue

9

Volume

20

Page range

976-991

Department affiliated with

  • Anthropology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-12-15

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-12-01

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-12-14

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