Impact of Perception on Gender Equity in the Rwandan Family. Case study: Gasabo District (2014-2017)

Abstract

The principles of gender equality would be achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society. However, some perceptions about gender equality do not always translate into reality. There still exists a gender subtext that reveals persistent practices of gender inequality and the misconceived perception of gender equality even at the family level.” The current research entitled “Impact of perception of Gender equality in the Rwandan family” was conducted on households of Remera and Bumbogo sectors of Gasabo District with the main objective of assessing the Perception of gender equality and their impact at the family level. In order to avail findings, the researcher set 3 questions: How is gender equality implemented at the family level? How is gender equality perceived by Rwandan families? What impact do Rwandan families face related to their perception of gender equality? The researcher formatted these questions into a Likert-modelled questionnaire and interviews to collect primary data. The population of the study was 25,599 households on which a random sample of 68 households was chosen and interviewed with ethical considerations. To conclude, through the adjusted, coded and interpreted primary data, the results showed that gender equality has been well implemented by the Government of Rwanda but it is still perceived at low scale within Rwandan families. Subsequently, perception of gender equality at the household level is somehow correlated to a certain impact leading to a pervasive gender inequality. The impact is observed in frequent issues such as GBV, divorces, murders, and other sorts of domestic violence. As recommendation the Government of Rwanda and gender stakeholders have to continue to impart people the roles of gender equality in community, and help understand correctly the meaning of gender equality as some family members have misinterpreted the gender equality. Future researchers are encouraged to extend analogue studies to the whole country or/and advance in gender equality throughout other sectors.