How Rwanda has Addressed Gender-based Discrimination in Cycling?

The Rwandan government has developed policies against discrimination in sports.

Cycling is a hugely popular sport in Rwanda and is playing an important role in reuniting the country. President Kagame has even considered making cycling a national sport.

However, in December 2019, the former coach of Rwanda’s national cycling team, Jonathan Boyer, accused the Rwanda Cycling Federation president, Aimable Bayingana, of corruption and ignoring sexual misconduct against female riders.

Three days after the open letter was published, Bayingana stood down as president, along with the executive members of the Rwandan Cycling Federation.

Following the scandal, the Rwandan Investigation Bureau put the case “under investigation”. The government also took action. Shema Maboko, Permanent Secretary at the sports ministry, commented that: “We are aware that sexual assault and corruption happens, and it is our prerogative to fight it. We are strong on it. We have been using the national policies against sexual exploitation.”

The Rwandan Sports Ministry has promised to impose a new policy against sexual abuse, which will govern all sports activities in the country as part of Rwanda’s broader policy on correcting gender-based corruption.