Rwanda is working to increase the proportion of women in local government to at least 50%, as the current number remains significantly lower compared to other levels of public administration.
This call was made by the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA) during the launch of the seventh cohort of the Local Government Internship Program for young female university graduates. The event took place in Muhanga District, bringing together 200 women graduates who will be deployed to various local administrative entities for a six-month professional placement.
Théoneste Ukize, Head of the Local Government Capacity Building Department at RALGA, explained that the program aims to close the gender gap in elected and technical positions across local institutions — from districts down to villages.
“So far, women represent less than 30% in local governance structures,” Ukize said. “Our goal is to achieve equal representation of 50% women and 50% men in all local administrative roles.”
He noted that the country cannot fully achieve its development ambitions while women, who make up the majority of the population, remain underrepresented in decision-making positions at the grassroots level.
One of the interns, Honorine Utamuriza, said the program will offer them practical experience while helping them understand how local governance operates.
“For me, this is an opportunity to connect what I studied with real administrative practice. I’m eager to learn how local entities function on the ground,” she said.
Mireille Batamuriza, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, emphasized that the national policy on leadership requires equal participation of men and women. She added that the initiative is also meant to motivate younger women to pursue leadership roles fearlessly.
“If we encourage these young women to join local institutions, they in turn will inspire others who still feel intimidated to step into leadership,” she said.
Speaking to UMUSEKE, Pascal Simpenzwe, the Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs in Nyabihu District, highlighted the visible disparities in leadership positions.
“In our 12 sectors, only three are headed by women,” he revealed.
Over the next six months, the 200 interns are expected to acquire the skills and confidence needed to compete equally with men for employment and leadership positions within local government.
