Learning and Engagement Events
Paper Crown Rwanda regularly hosts participatory educational events for a diverse range of audiences, both in Rwanda and beyond, reaching international audiences virtually. We have partnered with Rwandan grassroots organizations as well as international organizations and institutions to reach hundreds of people worldwide over the last 8 years. Here are some highlights!
Using Gender Transformative Approaches to Fight GBV
June, 2022
PCR hosted a two-day event focusing on using gender transformative thinking to fight GBV with 30 different youth-led and youth serving organizations. While these organizations aims and priorities vary from empowering women, to improving SRHR, to advocating for people living with disabilities, and more, our objective was to highlight the impact of gender norms in their work and how they can use transformative thinking to address it. This participatory workshop focused on power dynamics, victim blaming, gender, GBV, and ultimately guided them towards embracing gender transformative thinking within their organization.
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Disability Event
August, 2022
PCR provided a safe and accessible space for 25 girls with various disabilities (GWD) to learn more about their SRHR, with an emphasis on enthusiastic consent, healthy relationships and debunking SRHR myths. The girls had the chance to talk about their sexual health, and how SRHR education could be more reflective of these lived realities.
Throughout the event, PCR gathered critical insights and guidance directly from GWD in order to improve our SRHR training and engagement so that we can be more inclusive and support PWD to assert their SRH rights.
GWD emphasized that efforts need to be placed on:
Debunking myths about GWD to help all people recognize that GWD have the same right to healthy relationships as others.
Access to appropriate SRHR services and information goes beyond providing things like sanitary pads, GWD deserve care and support like any other young person.
Although body changes don't happen in the same way for everyone, this should not be used to discriminate against GWD.
16 Days of Activism Against GBV Event
December, 2022
The knowledge gained from the SRHR event with GWD helped guide PCR's 16 Days of Activism Against GBV event where we focused on how using an intersectional approach in gender programming can help increase the rights for girls and women with disabilities. 40 participants attended - representing both international and local NGO’s that work with girls and women in Rwanda - who had the opportunity to: 1) learn how gender, ability, age, class, etc. all intersect to impact SRHR services and information for girls with disabilities, 2) dissect and discuss their own internal biases towards people with disabilities, and how that can lead to further discrimination, and 3) hear directly from the experiences and voices of girls and women with disabilities, and what equity looks like from their perspective.
GBV and Gender Transformative Thinking for Women in Media
April, 2022
This event was hosted specifically for women working in the media to raise the visibility of gender-transformative work, and to discuss various gender issues that affect the Rwandan community through a feminist lens. Our team provided participants with a space for open dialogue and sharing of ideas and questions to increase their knowledge in transforming harmful social norms and preventing GBV through media.
#16Days National News Broadcast with the European Union
November 25 - December 10, 2021
On 9 December 2021, Paper Crown Rwanda was live on Rwanda’s national radio station, talking about the #16DaysOfActivism, ending gender based violence in Rwanda, and the power of gender transformative approaches.
As part of a very exciting campaign with the European Union in Rwanda, we broadcast 8 different informational and role play recordings on Rwandan radio stations during the #16DaysOfActivism campaign. The topics range from explaining the different types of gender-based violence (GBV) and the harm of victim blaming, to the laws and rights which protect women and girls in Rwanda.
We were so happy to be part of this amazing campaign, as it represented the first time that Paper Crown Rwanda’s critical transformative messaging has reached the entire country of Rwanda via multiple national radio stations
Engaging Activists and NGOs Around the Importance of
Feminist Principles and Gender Transformative Work
25 November 2021
The 25th of November - the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the beginning of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence annual campaign - is a really important day for Paper Crown Rwanda and for organizations fighting GBV around the world. We chose this important day to host a special event for gender and GBV practitioners and partners to raise the visibility of gender transformative work with a feminist lens and discuss different gender issues that affect the Rwandan community.
The event was titled, ‘Do Better: Understanding Gender Transformative Work and Feminist Principles for Greater Impact and Sustainability’, which is inspired by this Maya Angelou quote: "Do the best you can do until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
Featuring everything from activities and panel discussions, the event was about moving beyond words to actions, beyond theory and research to concrete interventions and practical approaches that are transformative and sustainable. We are so grateful for the input and participation of the attendees!
This event was in held partnership with the European Union and Kvinna Till Kvinna.
Working With the Rwanda Girl Guides Association to End GBV
30 - 31 October 2021
In October 2021, PCR partnered with The Association of Girl Guides Rwanda (AGR) (part of The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) to host a two-day workshop for 30 adolescent girls in Rwanda. Girl Guides (also known as Girl Scouts in some countries) is an incredible, worldwide organization dedicated to empowering and supporting girls and young women. In Rwanda, the AGR counts over 16,000 members across the country, and they work with non-formal education, community development, early childhood development, developing life skills, and more.
During our two-day event with AGR, we discussed Gender Based Violence (#GBV) and Gender Transformative Thinking with a group of girls aged 17-25. We worked with them to understand gender and power dynamics, what it means to be gender transformative, and how gender transformative analysis can be implemented in the girls’ work with AGR.
Walking the Talk: Moving Beyond Gender Equality Tokenism
24 September 2021
Our event ‘Walking the talk: Moving beyond gender equality tokenism’ took place on Friday, September 24 and featured an inspiring, and active group Rwandan feminist activists on what gender transformative approaches look like in practice, why many say they are utilizing these approaches (but aren't), and the potential of gender transformative work in the gender and development sector.
Engaging Girls and Young Women With Disabilities
24-25 August 2021
UNABU and PCR hosted a a two-day event for adolescent girls with disabilities in Rwanda.
UNABU, the Rwandan Organization of Women with Disabilities, is doing incredible work on the ground in Rwanda with women and adolescent girls, providing a range of empowerment, livelihood, and advocacy activities for girls and women with disabilities (GWWDs). Because gender and disability intersect in a such a unique way that compounds the oppression women and girls face, we wanted to work with UNABU so that we could:
Engage girls and young women with disabilities in discussions about their human rights, inherent worth and the value of their voices.
Help build the confidence and leadership skills of girls with disabilities.
Discuss self-love, healthy relationships and consent with girls with disabilities, so they can speak out against those who might try to exploit them.
Transform how girls with disabilities think about gender and power in their lives, families and communities, and embolden them to claim their rights and reject stereotypes related to gender and disability.
Educate non-disabled girls and young women from PCR’s alumni about gender and disability, and foster their ability to act as vocal advocates for ending disability stigma and gender discrimination.
Interested in holding a bespoke learning event
with Paper Crown Rwanda?
Please reach out to us for more information at the link below.