Norm Appropriation through Policy Production: Rwanda’s Gender Policies

The author argues that the Government of Rwanda (GoR) is an active shaper of gender equality norms rather than a passive adopter. By analyzing national policy documents, the paper identifies two primary 'problem representations': gender inequality as a result of women's exclusion from the formal economy and as a consequence of citizens having the 'wrong mindset.' The author concludes that the GoR has repurposed these norms to serve a broader nationalist agenda, framing gender equality as a tool for sustainable economic development and the creation of a modern, loyal Rwandan citizen, thereby shifting the meaning of the norms away from the transformation of gendered power relations.

• The Government of Rwanda (GoR) actively appropriates international gender equality norms, altering their meaning to serve as a central component in constructing a 'new' Rwandan identity and advancing a nationalist agenda.
• One central problem representation in Rwandan policy frames gender inequality as the exclusion of women from the formal economy, treating gender equality as a technical means to achieve sustainable development and economic growth rather than a challenge to power relations.
• A second problem representation identifies gender inequality as a result of people having the 'wrong mindset,' necessitating an ideological transformation of 'traditional' citizens into 'modern' partners in development who accept the ruling elite's narrative.
• The GoR's approach to gender equality relies on existing stereotypes of women as caring and self-sacrificing, expecting them to prioritize family and national needs over their own strategic life choices.
• The appropriation of gender norms is linked to the GoR's need for legitimacy and political control in a post-genocide context, using the image of an inclusive, modern state to maintain power and elicit international support.

APA

Lorentzen, J. (n.d.). Norm Appropriation through Policy Production: Rwanda’s Gender Policies. Peace Research Institute Oslo. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/1b44a495-1b07-43a3-8a79-084216aa0371/Norm appropriation through policy production Rwandas gender policies.pdf?inline=true

Chicago

Lorentzen, Jenny. Norm Appropriation through Policy Production: Rwanda’s Gender Policies. Peace Research Institute Oslo, n.d. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/1b44a495-1b07-43a3-8a79-084216aa0371/Norm appropriation through policy production Rwandas gender policies.pdf?inline=true.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lorentzen |first1=Jenny |title=Norm Appropriation through Policy Production: Rwanda’s Gender Policies |publisher=Peace Research Institute Oslo |url=https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/1b44a495-1b07-43a3-8a79-084216aa0371/Norm appropriation through policy production Rwandas gender policies.pdf?inline=true |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lorentzenndnorm, author = {Lorentzen, Jenny}, title = {{Norm Appropriation through Policy Production: Rwanda’s Gender Policies}}, institution = {Peace Research Institute Oslo}, url = {https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/1b44a495-1b07-43a3-8a79-084216aa0371/Norm appropriation through policy production Rwandas gender policies.pdf?inline=true}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }