{"id":20045,"date":"2016-12-16T08:00:38","date_gmt":"2016-12-16T08:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.humanium.org\/en\/?p=20045"},"modified":"2025-12-13T20:24:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T20:24:49","slug":"implementing-childrens-rights-in-rwanda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humanium.org\/en\/implementing-childrens-rights-in-rwanda\/","title":{"rendered":"Implementing children\u2019s rights in Rwanda"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rwanda has ratified the Convention on Children\u2019s Rights <\/a>and has implemented local laws, such as LAW No. 54\/2011 on the protection of children\u2019s rights as well as LAW No. 59\/2008 on the prevention and repression of gender based violence. Nevertheless, there are still major children\u2019s rights violations reported.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The status of women in Rwanda has never been good : 66% of girls reported that they were sometimes kicked or punched <\/b><\/p>\n

Gender-based violence is a common situation in the country despite the improvement in terms of equality, 64% of the Rwandan parliament was female in the September 2013 elections. One in three women in Rwanda<\/a> has been victim of violence, a situation impacting the life of the entire family (The Guardian, 2013)<\/span>, children included and has created a cycle of violence that is hard to break. <\/span><\/p>\n

85% of street children are not attending school<\/b><\/p>\n

Despite having one of the highest rates of primary school enrollment, up to 97% in 2012,<\/a> Rwanda remains undermined by its high number of street children<\/a> (UNICEF, 2013). Secondary school<\/a> is well less frequented by children due to the high rate of poverty<\/a> and the need for those children to contribute to the family\u2019s income. <\/span><\/p>\n

Street children are mainly present in the country\u2019s capital Kigali but data and documentation are lacking and their numbers remain unknown. Their conditions of living are dangerous and can lead to various risks in terms of health<\/a>, security, economic or even sexual exploitation<\/a>. However, almost the majority of them do return home at night, they live on the streets during the day to gain money for the household. The high number of street children is directly linked to the poverty rate.<\/p>\n

Only 63% of infants in Rwanda are registered at birth<\/b><\/p>\n

According to the Rwandan law all births<\/a> need to be registered with the government within one month. Following the genocide, birth certificates do not mention the child\u2019s ethnicity, in order to avoid adding to the tensions that continue to exist between various ethnic groups (Humanium, 2016). Despite this law, only 63% of children under five years are registered. Nevertheless only one in 10 have a document that can attest to their registration with civil authorities (UNICEF, 2013). This is a very low percentage, and puts unregistered children at risk of being stateless and unprotected by the state. Furthermore, citizenship is not guaranteed at birth. In order to receive citizenship, a child\u2019s father must be a native Rwandan (Humanium, 2016). <\/span><\/p>\n

Raising awareness for children\u2019s rights – can this change the situation? <\/b><\/p>\n

Laws protecting children have been adopted but are not necessarily implemented. To deal with this issue, Humanium tested an innovative approach to improving children\u2019s rights in some of the most difficult regions in Rwanda, on the countryside. Awareness-raising workshops have been organized, involving directly the people concerned, affected by poverty. Humanium delivered 17 pilot workshops to train leaders of the communities like social workers, teachers, village leaders, in children\u2019s rights, in cooperation with their local partner AVSI.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Humanium\u2019s training in children\u2019s rights involves a series of interactive tools, including role playing, storytelling and a variety of embodiment and communication techniques. The local leaders are challenged to step out of their comfort zones and start taking real action, whilst developing a transformational leadership. Humanium\u2019s tools are unique because they are the combined result of many highly effective experiential tools that are tailored to meet the needs of the participant. Furthermore, the tools are demonstrated to be effective by pioneers in the field of trauma healing like van der Kolk, Judith Herrmann or the CTI Leadership and coaching school.<\/p>\n

The program has proven to be a success as it brought sustainable change to the communities as leaders implemented the techniques in their day-to-day work with the families and the children.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

“In 2015, I had the great fortune to travel to Rwanda with Humanium\u2019s director and CEO Arndt Soret. Over the course of two weeks, we traveled across the country, to work with local leaders to raise awareness on children\u2019s rights.<\/p>\n

Our goal was to have open discussions on children\u2019s rights and teaching tools to ensure children\u2019s rights are understood and respected. What a life-changing experience! We were met by the most incredible openness and sense of community! We were deeply moved by their eagerness to learn and do what is necessary to protect their children! And we became even more aware of much help is needed to carry on this fundamental work to ensure that children\u2019s rights are implemented in a sustainable way. Bringing dignity to children by creating safe and healthy homes and communities is at the roots of Humanium\u2019s mission. And it is the foundation of our future as a society.<\/p>\n

Supporting this and other initiatives from Humanium is a great investment not just for Rwandan children but for us all as a society. We are most grateful for any donation you can provide, so Humanium can keep bringing change to children\u2019s life! Much love and gratitude.”<\/h4>\n

– Donatella Canella –<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

Learn more about the project HERE!<\/p>\n

If you want to support this project\u00a0DONATE HERE<\/a> <\/b>!<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Written by\u00a0:\u00a0Nolwenn Le Sayec, Jean-Luc Konan, Lisa Senty, Gina Montoya, Sylvia Riewendt<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Humanium Rwanda project page (2016) : <\/span>https:\/\/www.humanium.org\/en\/africa\/rwanda\/projects-rwanda\/childrightsrwanda\/<\/span><\/p>\n

UNICEF: Every child\u2019s birth right (2013) <\/span>https:\/\/www.un.org\/ruleoflaw\/files\/Embargoed_11_Dec_Birth_Registration_report_low_res.pdf<\/span><\/p>\n

Humanium: Children in Rwanda (2016) https:\/\/www.humanium.org\/en\/africa\/rwanda\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

UNICEF Education in Rwanda \u00a0(2013) : <\/span>https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development-professionals-network\/2013\/nov\/22\/rwanda-gender-based-violence<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The Guardian Gender-based violence in Rwanda (2013) <\/span>https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development-professionals-network\/2013\/nov\/22\/rwanda-gender-based-violence<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rwanda has ratified the Convention on Children\u2019s Rights and has implemented local laws, such as LAW No. 54\/2011 on the protection of children\u2019s rights as well as LAW No. 59\/2008 on the prevention and repression of gender based violence. Nevertheless, there are still major children\u2019s rights violations reported. 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