GENDER TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH TO FOSTER MALE PARTICIPATION IN DOMESTIC WORK: A CASE STUDY OF THE BANDEBEREHO PROJECT IN BURERA DISTRICT, RWANDA

This study explores the impact of the Bandebereho Program in Burera District, Rwanda, using the Gender Transformative Approach (GTA) and Judith Butler's gender performativity as its theoretical underpinnings. The program seeks to overturn deeply embedded gender norms by having men do household and caregiving work. By employing qualitative research instruments, including interviews, focus group discussions, and observation, the study reports that before the intervention, domestic work was handled by women alone, reinforcing gender inequality and household power relations. The results are characteristic of drastic changes with the introduction of Bandebereho: men began contributing to childcare, cooking, and joint decision-making, and women reported reduced workloads, improved marital relationships, and improved response. The intervention also encouraged greater community acceptance of men's involvement in domestic work, although there are still challenges such as stigma, cultural resistance, and issues around sustainability. The discussion situates these findings within broader GTA literature, and it shows that guided reflection, role modeling, and community sanctioning are crucial in changing gendered practices. The study concludes that Bandebereho offers an expandable model for driving gender equity, improving family well-being, and informing policy interventions in similar contexts.