Role Of Technical And Vocational Education And Training (Tvet) In Empowering Women In Rwanda: A Case Of Rubavu District

TVET is a hands-on product-based form of training that seeks to expose people to as close as real world of work and its inherent processes. It plays a crucial role in empowering people and makes them well skilled in a specific area of work. This study aimed at assessing the role of TVET in empowering women in Rwanda. The research was conducted in five TVET schools in Rubavu. The study followed the descriptive research design which under quantitative approach. The target population of the study was 334 subjects from which a sample of 77 participants was chosen. The study employed a structured questionnaire in data collection. The data was analyzed by means of percentages, frequencies, means and standard deviation analysis. The study revealed that TVET contributes greatly to the women’s empowerment in Rwanda and strengthens their abilities. Findings highlighted the role of hands-on skills as these have greatly contributed to the women’s empowerment through accessing to occupations traditionally dominated by men, developing women’s confidence and self-esteem, enhancing women’s access to employment opportunities. Entrepreneurship skills make women capable to set business goals and work to achieve them and improve socio economic status and inspire selfreliance. Communication skills empowers women in effectively communicating their thoughts, lights, and choice, communicating, and effectively practicing their knowledge and skills for accessing employment opportunities. The study recommended that Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) with its institutions such as Rwanda Polytechnic (RP) and Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) and TVET schools should continue to encourage women to acquire technical and vocational education and training to be able to compete in the job market. Key words: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Education, Training, Empowering, Women Empowerment, Rwanda