'Promoting Positive Masculinities Attitudes and Behaviors Change' is a project launched in January 2022 to educate and inspire men to play their role in achieving gender equality. The project aims to transfer knowledge to others, including business owners, public institutions, NGOs, and faith-based organizations. Positive masculinity is encouraged to engage men and boys in this journey.

After the program, 22 participants from districts like Huye, Nyagatare, and Kicukiro were rewarded as 'gender champions' for promoting positive gender norms, and positive masculinity and strengthening gender equality among 3,500 participants.

Mrs. Julie Wamwiza, head of the project at Aegis Trust, said the training saved marriages that were on the brink of divorce, reunited broken homes, and reduced poverty.

She added that husbands and wives learned to work together in harmony, understand their responsibilities at home, and educate their children.

One of the gender champions who was recently awarded is Rugwizangoga Enock; the founder Club that led the youth to operate in Kicukiro District, working with young people to promote gender equality, equity, and positive masculinity in her community.

Rugwizangoga was awarded as a gender champion for promoting gender equality, equity, and positive masculinity. He trained men and boys in Busanza cell on gender equity and equality, changing their attitude towards women after they were previously naive about these concepts.

"We collaborate with local authorities who recommend families with conflicts and in poverty. We have reached out to 12 men and 12 women, and we are happy to report that eight families have now become aware of the importance of gender equality. Some men who previously forced their wives to stay home and do house chores instead of working have changed and now recognize the value of dual income. As a result, they have improved their financial situations and have even taken their children, who had previously dropped out, back to school,’ he revealed

"my team and I have established a high school club that provides detailed training on gender equality to learners at GS Busanza. Despite the challenges, we have successfully trained 203 people, including teen mothers, which wasn’t easy. We are proud of the progress and transformation that we have seen, "Rugwizangoga added.

Mrs. Mukankusi Anastasie, Rugwizangoga’s wife, thanks Aegis Trust for its role in society, where they were insecure.

“In that time, the way I lived with my husband, was terrible. But I couldn't leave my beloved children. I wondered what would happen to them when I left them with their careless father, a drunkard who abused others...because they have the right to be in their home,” she said.

“I wondered what can happen to me if my husband does not change. Thanks to Aegis Trust for the support of lessons they gave us,” she added.

During the event, Silas Ngayaboshya, who is the Director General of Gender Promotion and Women Empowerment at the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), mentioned that the revised gender policy approved in 2021 emphasizes the importance of promoting men and boys as allies and positive partners in the journey towards achieving gender equality.

 He also highlighted that the policy aims to transform negative social norms in society, such as the way it constructs gender roles, to bring about greater liberation.

“society should be liberated by transforming negative social norms, like how it constructs what it means to be a woman or man,” he stated.

Ngayaboshya emphasized the need for redefining societal perceptions of gender[womanhood and manhood] and promoting positive social norms while dismantling negative social and gender norms. Negative patriarchal attitudes and gender stereotypes were identified as the root causes of gender inequality.

Gender inequality persists in cultural norms resulting in poverty, GBV, teen pregnancies, and malnutrition among women and girls.

"We must enhance women's participation in different sectors. MIGEPROF has developed gender transformative approaches and is working with schools and universities to conduct dialogues with students," Ngayaboshya stated.

He emphasized the need for ongoing awareness regarding gender-based violence, as well as efforts to prevent and fight against teen pregnancies, and mainstream gender equality into the educational sector.

Ngayaboshya highlighted that this responsibility should be shared by everyone, not just MIGEPROF and that transforming negative social norms is crucial to achieving this goal.

He urged the media and other institutions to invest in promoting positive social norms for a better outcome.