Apply Now: Gender Equality Seal for Rwandan Companies

The Gender Equality Seal (GES) certification program was launched in 2017 by the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), in collaboration with the Private Sector Federation (PSF) and Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), and with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The goal of the GES program is to certify private sector companies and public institutions that have demonstrated a strong commitment to gender equality in the workplace through their policies, practices, and culture.

The GES empowers companies and organisations to assess their internal processes, structures, and practices; to bridge gender gaps; and to promote a gender-responsive work environment. To attain certification, participating companies and institutions undertake a gender audit (called “gender diagnosis”) to identify good practices as well as gaps limiting the attainment of gender equality. Companies then develop action plans as part of their commitment to promoting gender-responsive workplaces. Successful implementation of the action plans results in GES certification. This consists of a self-assessment and external evaluation process, resulting in three possible certifications for the company: gold, silver, or bronze.

In order to institutionalise the GES program, RSB, in partnership with UNDP and GMO, has established an upgraded certification program called “Gender Equality/Requirements for Promotion, implementation, and Accountability (RS 560:2023)”. It is expected that enrolling more companies through the existing GES framework will ultimately enable companies to achieve this National Gender Standard, the first of its kind in African.

Aims

• The GES certification process supports companies in creating gender-responsive workplaces that benefit both the organisation and its employees. It provides a platform for companies to acquire and maintain a diverse and productive workforce, to establish an equitable working environment, and to enhance their reputation by showcasing commitment to gender equality.
• In collaboration with GMO and other partners and within the framework of the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH aims to scale up this initiative by increasing the number of businesses benefiting from fostering gender-equal work environments.
• With the collaboration, GIZ hopes to realise the following objectives:
  • Assist interested companies in complying with the requirements of the GES and thereby prepare them for the gender standard RS 560:2023 certification process.
  • Promote a network of companies dedicated to advancing gender equality, thereby improving working conditions for all employees, regardless of their gender.

Focus Areas

• Focus areas include:
  • Eliminating gender-based pay gaps
  • Increasing women’s roles in decision-making
  • Enhancing work-life balance
  • Enhancing women’s and men’s access to non-traditional jobs
  • Eradicating sexual harassment at work
  • Using inclusive, non-sexist communication.

Benefits

• GIZ will provide GES experts who will offer technical support and coaching services to selected companies throughout the GES certification process. Selected companies are expected to collaborate effectively with assigned GES experts to prepare for the external evaluation leading to certification. Each selected company is expected to facilitate the establishment of a Gender Equality Committee (GEC), composed of company staff nominated from various occupational departments. Selected companies must share quantitative and qualitative information with its assigned expert, with the goal of diagnosing potential gender gaps, and commit to implementing recommendations to bridge these gaps.
• Please note that there will be no cash or equipment support from GIZ to the selected companies.

Coaching Details

• Duration: Coaching is expected to run for six months, with the GEC working with a GES expert for 3 to 5 days each month.
• Activities: Coaching activities include but are not limited to:
  • Supporting the company to establish inclusive Human Resource (HR) policies.
  • Conducting on-site training for the GEC on various subjects, such as handling sexual harassment, setting up anonymous reporting mechanisms, and introducing work-life balance measures.
  • Regular meetings with the GEC to assess the progress of action plan implementation and to support the company with self-evaluation forms.
• Location & Format: Coaching will be conducted on the company’s premises during working hours, with online communication platforms used as needed.
• Language: Coaching will be done in English and/or Kinyarwanda, with flexible communication between the GES expert and GEC.

Eligibility Criteria

• To qualify for enrolment into the GES coaching program, the business must satisfy the following criteria:
  • Have between 31 and 100 formal employees
  • Have been in operation for at least 3 years prior to the date of enrolment
  • Be established in Rwanda with a corporate structure
  • Demonstrate commitment to joining the program, including signing a commitment form, facilitating the gender diagnosis process, implementing a gender equality action plan, and addressing recommendations from the GES expert
  • Not having been previously enrolled in the GES program
  • Not currently enrolled in another similar program supported by GIZ, GMO, or any other partner.

For more information, visit Invest for Jobs.