The Gender Monitoring Office and Trocaire Rwanda have, on Monday 7 June, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the working relationship for advancing gender accountability and improve Gender Based Violence service delivery in Rwanda.

Through the signed MoU, both institutions committed to advance gender accountability through financing for gender equality and monitoring of Gender Budget Statements (GBS) and enhance capacity development on gender budgeting, gender accountability and GBV service delivery. GMO and Trocaire also committed to work together in promoting dialogues on gender accountability and gender financing initiatives and provide counselling and legal aid services and psycho-social reintegration support to Victims of Gender Based Violence and teen mothers in particular.

"We believe in working in synergy with different partners to ensure that gender equality is institutionalized at all levels and also sustain the gender equality gains that the country already made" the Chief Gender Monitor Rwabuhuhi Rose said during the signing ceremony.

According to Mrs. Marleen MASCLEE, the Country Director of Trocaire, promoting gender equality and fighting gender based violence is among Trocaire top three priorities. "The signing of the MoU today is therefore an important step for us as we work to contribute to promoting a gender equal society in Rwanda" Trocaire Country Director added.

Trocaire is an International organization established in 1973 as the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland dedicated to helping girls and boys, their families, women, men and the communities reach their full potential, by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. It has been working in Rwanda since 1994 soon after the Genocide against the Tutsi.