Economic plan to assess gender impacts

A US $75 million Rwanda Economic Recovery Credit, recently approved by the World Bank, specifically requires action on a comprehensive plan to eliminate discrimination against women, and to improve their access to economic services and opportunities. A special report by the Bank, which has come under criticism for failing to address the uneven social impacts of its structural adjustment policies, said this week that the programme supporting the Rwandan economy would also require legislation to eliminate discrimination against women in inheritance and property ownership. “We now know that men and women do benefit or suffer from adjustment lending in different ways depending on their roles in society. It is therefore important that we take account of this in our adjustment lending and impact monitoring,” said Elaine Zuckerman of the World Bank’s gender and development group.

Over the next three years, the Rwandan government has said it intends to strengthen its economic management and deepen structural reforms, with particular emphasis on developing agriculture and rural markets, enhancing the role of women, promoting the private sector, and reforming the public sector. On gender issues, the civil code will be amended and women will be given the right to inherit and own property.