Rwanda’s Hotels Encouraged to Promote Gender Equality Standards in Housekeeping Duties

By Elias Hakizimana.

As Rwanda continues to enforce the RS 560 standard regarding gender seal certification (GES) among private and public companies, hotel managers are encouraged to promote equal opportunities and shared tasks in all their activities, especially housekeeping, where the stereotype that making beds for clients is only for girls and women persists, though boys can do it as well.

On May 10, 2024, seven private companies in Rwanda were honored with the Gender Equality Seal (GES) certification for their significant contributions to advancing gender equality in the workplace. Currently, around 30 companies are certified, with hopes that many more will gradually embrace the initiative, according to the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB).

The initiative was born from the Gender Monitoring Office and is being implemented nationwide with joint support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UN Women, the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, the Private Sector Federation, and the Rwanda Standards Board.

Promoting gender equality in hotel operations as well as among the impacted community members is a key priority for Hotel Mantis Epic, and this focus continues to yield visible results in reinforcing the government’s vision of development for all.

In advancing gender equality in hotel operations, it involves encouraging both girls and boys to take on tasks traditionally thought to be designated for a specific gender, such as making beds, which some people believe is only done by women and girls. At Mantis Epic Hotel, the focus is solely on capability.

Joan Mugwiza, Internal sales and marketing manager at Mantis Epic Hotel and Suites, mentions that in every department, there are both men and women, as well as young women and men, working together and sharing ideas to advance Mantis Epic Hotel. He says,

“We all complement each other, whether in management or elsewhere, even in the kitchen you won’t find anyone hindering their colleague or making them feel incompetent, and we all know that both men and women are capable. This mutual support makes the work easier and faster.”

Mugwiza emphasizes that at this hotel, there is no misguided notion that certain tasks are reserved for some and not for others. He gives an example in the housekeeping and bed-making department, highlighting that the majority in this department are young men, even though some say no young man or man should be making beds when a girl is present. He said, “Here at Epic Hotel, boys make beds, there is no perception that they are incapable of doing so, they do it and do it very well.”

Boys in Housekeeping Duties

Testimonies in hotels show that boys still do not embrace housekeeping when applying for jobs in hotels.

Janvier Forongo, operations manager at Mater Boni Consilii Hotel in Huye District, Southern Province, explains that the stereotype that housekeeping is a job for girls and women is rooted in Rwandan culture. However, he says there is hope that boys will soon embrace this job as housekeeping is among the lessons taught in TVET schools and is not exclusive to any gender.

“Six months ago, the majority of participants in our job recruitment exams for housekeeping were girls. The RS 560 standards will help us bridge this gap. Companies like ours will foster the implementation of these standards since they are more inclusive and boost productivity,” Forongo said. “Here, women and girls are the ones involved in housekeeping, food and beverage departments, cleaning, and washing dishes, etc. We promote competitiveness and do not exclude any gender,” he added.

Speaking during a campaign on gender development supportive standards, the second session of its kind that started on May 27, 2024, in the Southern Province, Jean Pierre Bajeneza, Acting National Certification Division Manager at Rwanda Standards Boards (RSB), reiterated the role of the RS 560 standard, noting that it is meant to foster equal opportunities, and services, and prevent gender-based violence in workplaces.

“It aims to fast-track sustainable development, fostering good governance and equal opportunities for both genders. We are in the second session of this campaign, and we have seen progress in the implementation of this initiative. KITABI Tea Company, which we visited today, is among the recently certified. More companies like Mater Boni Consilii Hotel also have a good understanding of the move and are ready to embrace the journey,” Bajeneza said.

Clement Kirenga, UNDP Rwanda’s National Coordinator for Inclusive Governance, says that gender does not relate to any duty or profession.

“Housekeeping by nature was considered for women and girls as a cultural norm, but men can do it too. Hotels need to give equal opportunities for both girls and boys to practice this profession. Education is key among hotel employers to foster gender equality in the workplace and encourage women to do everything and value what the job offers in return, rather than prioritizing sexual and gender stereotypes,” Kirenga said, noting that gender equality is a journey with gradual points.

Around 30 companies have been awarded the GES so far. The campaign is ongoing in the Southern, Eastern, and City of Kigali regions after starting in the Western and Northern Provinces.

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