ASCL Seminar: Neoliberal Authoritarianism in Rwanda: A Feminist Analysis

Since the early 2000s, Rwanda has been praised for its progress and the high number of women in its Parliament—61% in 2018, the highest in the world. However, President Paul Kagame has been in power since 2003, and in 2024, he won his fourth term with 99.15% of the vote. Critics argue that his government, led by the Rwandan Patriotic Front, is an authoritarian regime that silences political opposition.

Dr Xianan Jin explores this paradox: how Rwanda can promote gender equality in politics while maintaining oppressive state control. She argues that Rwanda has successfully passed laws to increase the number of women in politics, but this has happened under a system she calls "neoliberal authoritarianism." In this system, gender reforms are seen through a business-like approach, focusing on improving governance to boost the economy and support state development. However, these law reforms treat women as if they all share the same experiences and overlook how gender intersects with other identities, like social class. Rwanda’s approach reflects similar patterns seen in other authoritarian developmental states where strong governments drive development, as noted by African scholar Thandika Mkandawire (2001). It also shows how Rwanda has dealt with globalization in a way that doesn’t fit neatly into the usual categories of countries that either resist or fully embrace global economic changes. 

Dr Jin examines how Rwanda’s focus on increasing women’s representation in politics connects to its tight government control and suppression of protests rooted in everyday struggles for economic and social justice. She offers a nuanced view whether having more women in politics also leads to greater gender justice and stronger democracy, or if it’s just about increasing numbers

This event takes places in Leiden in person. For registrees who cannot travel to Leiden a link to an online platform will be sent one day before the start of the event.