Gender Equality in Action: Childcare program enables mothers to work on nature-based solutions in Kigali

This case study describes a childcare program established by AVEGA Agahozo under the SUNCASA project in Kigali, Rwanda. The initiative provides on-site care for children aged 9 to 35 months at tree nurseries, enabling mothers to participate more effectively in nature-based solutions (NbS) activities by removing the burden of balancing childcare with work.

• The SUNCASA project (Scaling Urban Nature-based Solutions for Climate adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa) aims to promote gender equality and social inclusion in Kigali, Dire Dawa, and Johannesburg, with a specific target that women or underrepresented groups make up at least 50% of community members engaged in its activities.
• In Kigali, AVEGA Agahozo established a childcare program at tree nurseries for children aged 9 to 35 months to address barriers facing women. Previously, children often stayed near nurseries without supervision, exposing them to safety hazards like stagnant water and pits, and causing stress for mothers that hindered their productivity and participation in NbS activities.
• The program's implementation included a 3-day early childhood development (ECD) training for parents on positive parenting and responsive caregiving. To manage the sites, management committees were formed to work with the ARCOS Network, and a rotation schedule was established for parents and caregivers, who also signed a code of conduct.
• The initiative provides essential infrastructure and supplies, including tents, mobile toilets, hand-washing stations, and first-aid kits. Parents have also created educational toys from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles and banana leaves.
• The program is reported as the first of its kind in Kigali. It is intended to increase productivity by ensuring mothers no longer have to manage the double role of childcare and NbS work simultaneously.

APA

Agahozo,, T. N. ,. M. F. A. (2026). Gender Equality in Action: Childcare program enables mothers to work on nature-based solutions in Kigali. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/gender-equality-action-childcare-program-enables-mothers-work-nature-based

Chicago

Agahozo,, Theogene NIYIRORA ,Christian MUHIRWA, from Avega. Gender Equality in Action: Childcare program enables mothers to work on nature-based solutions in Kigali. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2026. https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/gender-equality-action-childcare-program-enables-mothers-work-nature-based.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Agahozo, |first1=Theogene NIYIRORA ,Christian MUHIRWA, from Avega |title=Gender Equality in Action: Childcare program enables mothers to work on nature-based solutions in Kigali |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=10 March 2026 |url=https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/gender-equality-action-childcare-program-enables-mothers-work-nature-based |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{agahozo2026gender, author = {Agahozo,, Theogene NIYIRORA ,Christian MUHIRWA, from Avega}, title = {{Gender Equality in Action: Childcare program enables mothers to work on nature-based solutions in Kigali}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/gender-equality-action-childcare-program-enables-mothers-work-nature-based}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }