Abstract:
Gender equality in the 21st century has brought much attention worldwide, mainly empowering women who have been disadvantaged for decades. Income-generating activities such as trade are one among many ways to attain this empowerment. Rwanda was not left behind in this fight and women were empowered in trade, leadership, and peacekeeping to name a few. Trade is one of the sectors that allow women to create jobs and generate income. Therefore, women's communities near border places are involved in trade that crosses borders. However, these women do not show economic improvement. The purpose of the study was to analyze the effect of cross-border trade on women's empowerment in Rwanda. This study used a quantitative approach and was done at the Rubavu border. Data were primarily collected by the use of a structured questionnaire distributed to a sample of 70 women cross-border traders. The researcher analyzed the results using descriptive statistics. The results show that cross-border trade affects women's empowerment. Responses from the sample size show that income from cross-border trade activities is 100 percent women traders' main source of revenue. However, more than half of the sample carry out their cross-border trade activities informally, and 90 percent of them have not received any type of support such as loans or training. The study recommends policymakers and developmental partners sensitize women to shift from the informal to the formal way of working. Hence to benefit opportunities designed for women cross-border traders.
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