28/01/2026
Championing Gender Equity and Social Inclusion in Communities.
“When parents work together, children feel safe and the entire community benefits.” Aaron Kantumoya.
Inspired by his wife Joyce, a Farm Business Advisor, 66-year-old Aaron Kantumoya of Mpongwe District, chose to challenge harmful gender norms by becoming a Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Champion. His support for his wife soon grew to benefit the whole community.
Since completing his GESI training with iDE in 2024, Aaron has endeavored to bring his family closer, supported women-led businesses, and inspired other men to stand by and support their partners. Together with his wife, they now run thriving agribusinesses, host and train village savings groups, and lead GESI discussions. Such discussions have resulted in motivating more men to actively engage in community activities, encouraged women to take up leadership roles and helped reduce gender-based violence.
As role models, Aaron and Joyce lead by example, inspiring other families to embrace teamwork, equality, and positive change.
iDE is committed to empowering women socially and economically by promoting fair gender relations, equal access to resources, and gender-transformative workplaces. Its programs support women’s leadership, decision-making, and opportunities while working to prevent and reduce gender-based violence at the household, community, and institutional levels.
Understanding the important role of men and boys, iDE engages them to adopt positive masculinity, see gender equality as beneficial for everyone, and become champions of change in supporting women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship.
