NAR, the Ministry of National Unity & Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) and the Ministry of Youth (MINIYOUTH) believe that the active participation of young people in the quest for, reconciliation, social cohesion, and national unity is a prerequisite for sustainable peace and development in the country. To celebrate the 2023 International Day of Peace we will jointly hold a Youth Parliamentary Dialogue on September 21^st, 2023. It will be held at the Parliament of Rwanda under the theme: ‘Strengthening Unity and Resilience for Sustainable Peace and Development’ and will provide a crucial platform for youth to delve into the obstacles impeding peace and to underscore their pivotal role in fostering unity within their respective communities. The event will be attended by 600 participants including youth representatives from various districts across Rwanda, government institutions, Members of Parliament, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), researchers, academics, and various media houses.

The objectives are: 

• To emphasize the interdependence between peacebuilding efforts and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
• To promote peace education and public awareness on issues related to peacebuilding and development goals;
• To empower youth with the knowledge and tools to address challenges hindering peace, while inspiring them to take an active role in fostering unity within their communities;
• To provide a platform for open and constructive dialogue among youth participants, enabling them to share insights, perspectives, and potential solutions related to achieving sustainable peace and unity; and
• To explore strategies to facilitate active citizen participation in reconciliation, social cohesion, and national unity efforts for sustainable peace and development within Rwanda.

The theme of strengthening unity and resilience has underpinned all of Rwanda’s peacebuilding efforts. After the Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda faced significant challenges in national unity and reconciliation. These included deep-seated ethnic biases, identity crises, persistent genocide-related beliefs, and denial, along with enduring psychological and social trauma. There was also a prevailing sense of despair, distrust, isolation, and stigma. In response to these formidable obstacles, it was imperative to promote Rwandan identity, combat divisionism and discrimination, and prioritize the healing process. Never Again Rwanda took decisive action to prevent any recurrence of such a tragedy by seamlessly integrating diverse Peace Education tools into a range of peacebuilding initiatives that would result in sustainable peace. 

One such initiative is our ‘Spaces for Peace’ which have become pivotal forums for reconciliation and healing in eight districts across Rwanda. Each group comprises of 30 members from diverse backgrounds. Together, they champion respect, active listening, empathy, and a shared optimism for the future. Through this collective journey, they offer support in overcoming personal traumas, fostering reconciliation, and strengthening social cohesion. The selection of members is a community-driven process, involving citizens and local leaders. To ensure the effectiveness of these spaces, facilitators undergo extensive training and continuous mentorship from Never Again Rwanda. They delve deep into Rwanda’s history and its enduring impact on citizens, addressing topics like trauma, mental health, and group facilitation. This equips them with the skills to conduct successful monthly dialogues within their groups. These ‘Spaces for Peace’ serve as formidable platforms for healing, mutual understanding, and the advancement of a more unified Rwanda.

29 years after the genocide, national unity still remains a crucial priority. According to the 2020 Rwanda Reconciliation Barometer, there is still work to be done, with 8.6% of Rwandans holding onto divisive ideologies, 1.8% perpetuating ethnic stereotypes, and a significant 26.9% grappling with unhealed wounds nationwide. Never Again Rwanda (NAR) has harnessed the power of ‘Spaces for Peace’ to catalyze unity, particularly among the youth. These spaces are transformative platforms that reshape lives, empowering members for the better. They stand as beacons of hope, trust, and unity for citizens from diverse backgrounds, providing a steadfast foundation for a shared, peaceful future in targeted intervention areas. This underscores the ongoing relevance and urgency of fostering national unity in Rwanda.

The engagement of young individuals in NAR’s initiatives serves as a testament to their substantial potential in driving peace within their communities. They must possess the ability to recognize peace-related challenges, develop non-violent solutions through open communication, and collaborate effectively with various stakeholders to cultivate a culture of peace. Moreover, they are tasked with educating their peers and community members on their pivotal role in establishing enduring peace. This includes pioneering initiatives that foster inclusivity, a deep respect for diversity, and the constructive management of conflicts, all in pursuit of a more equitable and harmonious society.

TESTIMONY

T.A.* from Gihango sector in Rutsiro district has had a transformative journey to healing, which serves as a powerful testament to the potential for a young person from a family associated with genocide perpetrators to rediscover hope, self-worth, and a sense of belonging. He attributes his transformation to his involvement in the ‘Spaces for Peace’. Through this initiative, he managed to shed the burden of guilt and shame stemming from his parents’ involvement in the genocide. T.A. expressed his gratitude, emphasizing that the ‘Space for Peace’ provided a secure environment for him to voice his pain as someone born to a genocidaire. He was profoundly moved by the genuine support he received, characterized by active listening, absence of judgment, and compassionate companionship throughout his healing process. This experience has not only liberated him from the weight of his parents’ actions but has also empowered him to extend a helping hand to others in the same situation.

*(initials changed for ethical purposes)

In a world where the essence of democracy is being challenged, the theme for this year’s International Democracy Day resonates more deeply than ever: “Empowering the Next Generation.” On September 15, 2023, Never Again Rwanda will join forces with the African Leadership University (ALU) to create a vibrant space for youth-led Civil Society Organizations representatives, academics and youth leaders to discuss the critical importance of democracy in Africa, its impact on youth entrepreneurship and the urgent need for the youth to participate actively in the democratic process.

Democracy, at its core, is a system where power resides in the hands of the people. It is freedom of expression, equal representation, and the protection of human rights. It is the cornerstone upon which societies are built and empowers individuals to shape their destinies. Nowhere is the significance of democracy more evident than in Africa. Our continent is home to diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. Democracy provides a platform where these voices can converge, where differences can be embraced, and where solutions to complex challenges can be forged collaboratively. Democracy in Africa is not just a political system but a catalyst for economic growth, social justice, and inclusive development.

According to UN statistics 70% of Africa’s population is under the age of 30, and their aspirations, dreams, and ideas must be integral to the democratic discourse. 

Today’s youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the guardians of democracy. They are the ones who will bear the consequences of unresolved conflicts, the escalating threat of climate change, and financial instability. 

However, the journey towards a vibrant democracy is not without obstacles. Apathy, especially among young people, is a silent threat that looms large. Some may ask, “Why should I participate? Can my voice make a difference?” The answer is a resounding:” YES!” Young people must overcome apathy and actively engage in the democratic process. Their participation is the lifeblood of democracy itself. When young people vote, when they speak up, when they join discussions and advocate for change, they shape policies that affect their education, job opportunities, and the world they will inherit.

Participating in democracy is easier than you might think. Register to vote if you are of age, educate yourself about the issues that matter, and encourage civil discourse within your community. Participate in Umuganda and attend Citizen Forums such as those held by Never Again Rwanda across the country and other civil discourse platforms in your community, be at the sector or cell level. 

We have chosen to collaborate with ALU for this event because we wanted to take this conversation into the hands of those who see opportunities where others see challenges and are ready to reimagine the future of the continent fearlessly. ALU is comprised of’ a community of people who believe in their capacity to solve Africa’s most significant challenges in innovative ways. 

It is time to break down the barriers, overcome apathy, and empower the next generation to become active participants in shaping our destiny. Democracy is not a spectator sport; it is a collective endeavor that requires all voices. I hope that with our combined efforts, we stand the chance to ensure the success of democracy in Africa, thus securing a brighter future for us all.

By Robert Mugabo – Youth Programs Officer, Never Again Rwanda

NATIONAL PEACE ADVISOR & YOUTH ENGAGE TEAM LEADER, NEVER AGAIN RWANDA

Amidst Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes, the vision of a greener, more sustainable future is driven by the unwavering zeal of its vibrant youth. In the face of unprecedented environmental challenges, the significance of the younger generation in forging a sustainable path forward cannot be underestimated. Equipped with green skills, the youth can ignite a transformative journey to protect Rwanda’s natural wonders and cultivate a flourishing society in harmony with the environment.

“Green skills” are crucial for achieving a sustainable society as they encompass a diverse set of knowledge and capabilities focused on environmental stewardship. Rwanda has recognized the importance of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in empowering its population, especially the youth, to embrace responsible approaches in resource utilization, improving livelihoods, and enhancing overall quality of life. The government has implemented key priority programs, including the Promotional Program on Environmental Education for Sustainable Development (EESD), EESD Leadership Program, EESD in Primary and Secondary Schools, and a Training program for the Media on EESD Reporting. These initiatives, coupled with strategies such as curriculum development, vision building, capacity building, and advocacy, aim to achieve social and environmental justice by breaking down existing barriers.

Rwanda’s youth population, comprising approximately 29% of the overall population, plays a pivotal role in the country’s aspirations to become a green, climate-resilient, and low-carbon economy by 2050. To realize this vision, the youth must possess key green skills that contribute significantly to a greener, healthier, and more sustainable society:
Renewable Energy: Equipped with competencies in renewable energy technologies, the youth can drive the transition to clean energy sources, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal power. This will contribute to Rwanda’s ambitious objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 38% by 2030, creating job opportunities and driving economic progress within the nation.

Sustainable Agriculture: Youth with expertise in organic farming, agroecology, permaculture, and sustainable land management will safeguard food security and precious ecosystems. By introducing drought-resistant crops, improving water management, and prioritizing environmental well-being, they can ensure reliable and sustainable food production, benefiting farming communities.
Waste Management: Knowledgeable youth can tackle urbanization’s waste challenges by implementing strategies for waste reduction, recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy technologies. This will lead Rwanda towards becoming a resource-efficient, zero-waste economy operating on circular economy principles by 2035.

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: Equipped with climate change expertise, the youth will lead initiatives such as reforestation, eco-friendly land-use practices, restoration projects, and sustainable forest management. These efforts will effectively curb Rwanda’s carbon footprint and preserve valuable resources, reducing the impact of climate-related challenges.
Sustainable Water Management: Youth knowledgeable in water conservation, efficient usage, and wastewater treatment will ensure access to safe drinking water and quality sanitation facilities. As water demand rises due to population growth and climate challenges, their expertise will contribute to sustainable water management for the future.

Environmental Conservation and Biodiversity: Equipped with expertise in environmental conservation and sustainable practices, the youth will safeguard Rwanda’s ecosystems, protect unique species, and promote sustainable tourism and economic growth for local communities.

Green Building and Design: Youth experts in green building design will champion sustainable construction practices, using recycled materials and low-emission building products to reduce the ecological impact. This approach will protect Rwanda’s precious natural resources and the health of its people.

Sustainable Transport: Youth mastering eco-friendly transportation options like public transit, cycling, and electric vehicles will significantly curb carbon emissions in Rwanda. Their active involvement will enhance eco-friendly movement, tackle traffic issues, and improve charging infrastructure while promoting green spaces and pedestrian-friendly urban planning.

Circular Economy: Youth passionate about the environment and prosperity will lead the charge in adopting circular economy principles and practices. By creating products designed for durability, repairability, and crafted from recycled or renewable materials, they will champion waste reduction, resource optimization, and sustainable consumption, sparking economic opportunities for local communities.

Environmental Education and Awareness: Armed with knowledge on environmental issues, sustainable lifestyles, and conservation, the youth will champion eco-friendly habits, raise community awareness, and inspire collective action to implement pro-environment policies.
In conclusion, Rwanda’s sustainable future lies in the hands of its empowered and determined youth. Equipped with green skills, they can drive innovation and sustainable practices, creating a society that thrives in harmony with nature. Through their collective efforts, they will leave behind a legacy of progress, inspiring others to join the path towards a greener, healthier, and more sustainable Rwanda.

References
Benavot, A. (2014). Education for sustainable development in primary and secondary education. Background paper prepared for the DESD unit at UNESCO headquarters, Paris, France.
GoR (2011). Green Growth and Climate Resilience: National Strategy for Climate Change and Low Carbon Development. Kigali, Rwanda Environment Management Authority.
GoR (2018). Fifth Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (2016/2017)
GoR (2022). National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda
McGrath, S. (2020). Skilling for Sustainable Futures: To SDG 8 and Beyond. TESF Background Paper Series. Bristol, TESF.
Ministry of Education (2019). The Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) for Rwanda Quality Basic Education for human capital development project.
Ministry of Education. (2018). Education Sector Strategic Plan 2018/2019 to 2023/2024. .Retrieved on: https://mineduc.gov.rw/fileadmin/Documents/Research%20documents/Education_S ector_Strategic_Plan_2018_2024.pdf
Rieckmann, M. (2018). Learning to transform the world: Key competencies in Education for Sustainable Development. Issues and trends in education for sustainable development, 39, 39-59.
Unterhalter, E. (2020). Skills for Human Development: Transforming Vocational Education and Training/Education for Sustainable Development in the Postcolonial World: Towards a Transformative Agenda for Africa: by L. Tikly, Abingdon, Routledge, 2020, hardback£ 120 (264 pp) ISBN 9780415792943; paperback£ 31.49 ISBN 9780515792967.
https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/7268/news/rwanda/floods-number-of-deaths-injuries-destroyed-houses-slightly-increase
https://en.igihe.com/news/article/the-journey-to-transforming-rwanda-requires-us-to-stay-the-course-kagame

Experience shows that the most recurrent choice in a highly competitive environment is selfishness and self-centeredness. It is understandable because we all need to survive, and there is something which tells us that we can do so by obstructing and hindering others. This is human nature. 

It looks like we have the knowledge of what is needed but it continues to become the missing piece in a complicated puzzle. Some have even made a deliberate choice to embrace dialogue as a model of life in theory but not necessarily in practice. In the Rwandan case, the 2003 constitution of the Republic of Rwanda as revised in 2015, in its article 10, one of the key fundamentals is the “constant quest for solutions through dialogue and consensus”.  

Despite having the principles in place, dialogue has not been embraced as a culture in our societies. Selfish choices made in environments where genuine social interactions are hindered continue to be the basis of many societal challenges including intra-family conflicts, extreme violence, suicide tendencies, and the raising crime rate. This is more overt today where part of our life is online through social media and other unsafe web-based platforms. 

Another danger is the fact that in places where there is a lack of genuine dialogue, rivalries are created which result in toxic environments and make it hard to enable healthy development for individuals and institutions. Sustainable growth is very hard to achieve in environments where there are no incentives for horizontal and vertical cooperation. 

While challenges exist, different actors continue to advocate for the use of dialogue in solving societal challenges. Dialogue has played a major role in reconciliation and healing in Rwanda. From the Spaces for Peace established by Never Again Rwanda across the districts, to the alternative to dispute resolution policy2 recently approved by the government of Rwanda which seeks to provide avenues to deal with conflicts among individuals instead of overusing court-based remedies, you can see the quest for dialogue across our hills and valleys.  

Those Spaces of Peace have been bringing together wounded people from diverse backgrounds to share their stories of a grieving past and supporting each other in a healing journey. They have helped thousands of Rwandans to open up to each other, rebuild trust and unite. 

Nevertheless, there is a need to focus on establishing mechanisms for dialogue across the board, not just among the few individuals who have erupted into open conflicts but also in institutions like families, churches, and even those meant to promote genuine dialogue need to begin the process among themselves. It is an urgent need, particularly for the youth, so we can ensure the next generation has an adequate support system for their growth and wellness.  

Dialogue- the missing piece, is one of the best tools we can use for better communication, connection, and conflict resolution. 

In Rwanda, youth unemployment is relatively high at 25.6% among youth population aged 16-30 years as compared to the adults (aged 31 years and above) which is at 17.1%.  Nonetheless about 60% of employed Rwandan youth work in nonproductive jobs such as subsistence agriculture, retail, and construction. Basically, Rwanda has a considerable number of unemployed and underemployed youth.  The youth unemployment patterns in Rwanda show that 12.2% of unemployed youth have no education, 39.4% have achieved secondary education while 32.4%. are university graduates.   

What’s is alarming?

This number of unemployed youth cannot be ignored considering that above 70% of Rwanda’s population are below 35 years of age. If left unchecked it is likely to lead to serious social repercussions including intergenerational cycle of poverty, juvenile delinquency, forced migration, and social unrest.  

Youth delinquencies in the country caused by drug abuse, prostitution, alcoholism, informal streets vending, begging and vagrancy is at large in local communities and townships. According to a study on rehabilitation centers conducted by Institute of Policy Analysis and Research-IPAR Rwanda (IPAR), 55% of Rwandan young men at the age of 21 and 43% between 15-18 are either taking or have been taking drugs, while 12.5% of the same age are either engaged or have been engaging in different criminal activities. 76.4% of those who go to rehabilitation centers are Rwandan youth between 18-37 years. So, the dominant age of delinquent behaviors are employable youth who are  unemployed. 

Prevents youth participation in local governance

 Lack of access to employment directly or indirectly seems to disempower Rwandan youth to effectively engage and participate in local governance channels. The research conducted by Never Again Rwanda in 2022, shows that participation of Rwandan youth in local governance channels is still elusive. For example only 39.7% of youth attend national youth council meetings in their local areas, while only 6.5% attend planning and budgeting sessions and only 22.4% attend imihigo sessions in their areas. Moreover, the few who participate are not active enough. According to the same research, of those who attend planning and budgeting sessions, 61.6% have never asked any questions, and 71.7% have never sought feedback on program implementation. 82.3% have never sought feedback on utilization of finances and 87.9% have never questioned potential cases of corruption. The study shows the level of youth indifference in communities.  

Limited Access to Finance For youth in Rwanda

Youth unemployment is mostly explained by the slow economic growth and other existing macro-economic structures including financial markets in the country that are not able to generate sufficient job opportunities for youth. On the other hand, when young people want to create their own jobs by starting businesses, they often struggle to get access to affordable loans, or loans in general. This is partially due to a lack of collateral. High interest rates also make it difficult for young people to repay their loans on time.

Limited access to finance for unemployed Rwandan youth is baffling, youth startups cannot access finance due to lack of collateral, documentation requirements, unsuitable financial products, risk aversion from financial institutions and lengthy procedures. According to FINSCOPE, 88% of Rwandan youth have access to finance but only 16% have access to credit market. It implies that even though 88% of Rwandan youth have access to finance 84% cannot access any type of credit from any financial institution. 

The Business Development Fund 

The Government of Rwanda created the Business Development Fund (BDF), a facility established in 2011 to mitigate the fall out between financial institutions and young people mostly the unemployed borrowers, to enable youth and vulnerable groups especially women to access loans from SACCOs, MFIs,  banks, and other institutions by covering between 50 to 75 percent of the required collateral. It was a very sounding alternative, however the situation remained corrosive.

The management of BDF admits facing serious challenges to guarantee youth loans because these young entrepreneurs lack working capital and usually have low lender’s trust.  Additionally, BDF support comes in after the loan applicant’s project is approved by financial institutions based on their loan requirements which are considered by the youth to be stringent and unachievable.

Policy Alternatives

Access to finance for the Rwandan youth is earmarked by the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1-2018-2024) as a key area of intervention for the government to create decent and productive jobs for the youth. Policy alternatives and interventions are needed for Rwandan youth to access appropriate financial services. It should include developing tailor -made financial tools for young entrepreneurs, such as access to credit and guarantee schemes when they lack collateral. It needs to be a multisectoral endeavor with the public and private sector and CSOs.

Government:

• Government should reform BDF to be able to design a financial facility specifically for youth. BDF needs to go beyond being just a guarantor to the provider of starting capital for youth startups. In collaboration with CSOs, philanthropists and private investors, the government can establish a National Youth Fund (NYF) which would specifically be for youth business financing, providing business advice and mentorship for young entrepreneurs and their projects, Examples can be drawn from other NYFs in other countries like Eswatini Youth Revolving fund, Botswana Youth fund, Tanzania Youth Fund and others.    

Private sector

• Private sector should take the lead in supporting young entrepreneurs as young business operators help to sustain a vibrant marketing and supply chain in the national economy.  
• Private business, banking, MFIs, SACCOs and Equities should design financial products targeting youth and the businesses they create. Angel investor networks and sources of seed funding could be created to support young entrepreneurs.

• It is likewise important for the private sector to integrate and develop young talents to keep their industries energetic and innovative by streamlining mechanisms of supporting young graduates and school leavers with professional internships, industrial training and part-time jobs.

Civil Society Organizations

• Civil society organizations can play a significant role to enable youth to access employment and finance including among others, designing hands on entrepreneurial mentorship programs focused on enhancing business competencies of school leavers, graduates, and young entrepreneurs. It should be a hands-on and purposeful mentorship to enable young business aspirants to build their business and social networks, access to capital, markets, and supplies.

• CSOs should devise program to support young people to access finance either by providing or mobilizing seed capital through grants. CSOs can also support youth to mobilize business coaching professionals and volunteers to help young people streamline their business projects and undertakings to be able to attract confidence of financing agencies and markets.  

reference

1. Global indicator framework for the Sustainable Development Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, https://unstats.un.org/ 

2.  NISR, Labour Force Survey Trends-February 2022(Q1), https://www.statistics.gov.rw/

3.  CHARO, R & PRYCE R.S, “Banking on youth: Rwanda’s path to a 21st century economy” March 07, 2022, https://blogs.worldbank.org/ 

4.  Labour Force Survey, Annual Report 2022, National Institute of Statistics Rwanda (NISR), March 2023 

5.  Pamela Abbott and Florence Batoni,” Disaffected and Delinquent Male Youth in Rwanda: Understanding Pathways to Delinquency and the Role of Rehabilitation and Vocational Skills Training, Institute of Policy Analysis Rwanda, 2011

6.  Never Again Rwanda. Research on “Understanding Youth Participation in Local Governance Processes for Decision-Making in Rwanda: Opportunities and Gaps, November 2022,   

7.  ILO, 2012, National Youth Funds (NYF); Supporting youth to create sustainable Employment Opportunities, Labour Office, Social Finance Programme, Employment Sector. – Geneva: ILO, http://www.ilo.org/publns

8.  Azimut, 2022, MSMEs AND ACCESS TO FINANCE IN RWANDA Challenges and way forward, https://azimut-if.com/

9.  FINSCOPE YOUTH INCLUSION IN RWANDA 2020- https://afr.rw/

10.  Information on Youth Financing shared by BDF to NAR, December 2022

11.  U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Nguriza Nshore. (2018). Rwanda Banking and Investment Analysis.  

12. NST1

13. OECD (2020), Advancing the Digital Financial Inclusion of Youth, www.oecd.org

reference

• https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/iiag
• https://www.nirda.gov.rw/uploads/tx_dce/05_-_Vision_2020__06.pdf
• https://www.minaloc.gov.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/Minaloc/Publications/Policies/NATIONAL_DECENTRALIZATI ON_POLICY_OCTOBER_2021.pdf
• https://neveragainrwanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ALIGNMENT-OF-IMIHIGO.pdf
• https://neveragainrwanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/CitPart-Report-2.compressed.pdf
• https://neveragainrwanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/RESEARCH-REPORT-_NAR-RMI-INTERPEACE-FINAL- 22-JULY-2020-15-54.pdf
• https://www.rgb.rw/index.php?eID=dumpFile&t=f&f=57671&token=4859792c98ce3e4777a6807dcb59d5e589cd 9a3c
• https://archive.doingbusiness.org/content/dam/doingBusiness/country/r/rwanda/RWA.pdf
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1270IRqP8ME
• https://neveragainrwanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Youth-Engage-Research_final-print.pdf
• https://neveragainrwanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/CSO-Research-Design-Booklet-May-22.pdf
• https://www.rgb.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/RGB/Publications/RWANDA_CIVIL_SOCIETY_BAROMETER/Rwanda_ Civil_Society_Barometer_2015.pdf

GoR’s Legal and statutory framework

GoR’s commitment and efforts to increase youth participation in governance are clearly defined in the existing legal and political framework. Specifically, Article 27 of the 2003 constitution of the Republic of Rwanda as revised in 2015 provides that every citizen, youth inclusive, has the right to participate in the development processes of their country (Government of Rwanda (GoR), 2015).

In addition, the constitution allots a special seat to the youth in the parliament. There is also the Ministry of Youth and Culture, a fully functioning National Youth Council, proclaimed by the Constitution in article 139 (3°(b), with committee structures from the national, down to the village level. Article 75 (3°) of the Constitution allocates two (2) Deputies in Rwanda’s parliament to be elected by the National Youth Council (NYC).

Furthermore, the Government of Rwanda (GoR) also adopted a National Youth Policy. The policy is deliberate on youth participation, and it provides the required policy framework and orientation for the mobilisation, participation, and integration of the youth in all aspects of Rwanda’s development.

Additionally, the new National Decentralisation policy (2021), which was initially adopted in 2000 intends to deepen and sustain citizen-centered governance and promote equitable local development for socio-economic transformation. Similarly, the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) under the transformation governance pillar priority area six calls for increased citizen participation with a particular focus on the youth to participate in planning for development (Government of Rwanda (GoR), 2017). Furthermore, the government has established different direct citizen participation platforms including among others Inteko z’abaturage and Umuganda in which the youth have an equal right to participate.

Challenges in youth participation

Despite the commitments and progress, youth participation is still limited. For example, the Citizen report Card (published by RGB in 2021) indicates that only 55.4% of the citizens are satisfied with their participation in the elaboration of district budgets and plans and 68.8% for their participation in Imihigo planning. The same report highlighted that only 29% and 14.9% of citizens are aware of the functionalities of Sector and District Advisory councils (Njyanama) respectively.

In the same framework, other studies reported insufficient youth participation due to many factors including the limited capacities and confidence of youth to engage in decision-making processes. The results of recent studies on youth participation in local governance processes conducted by Never Again Rwanda (2019, 2018 and 2016) deduced that youth do not optimally participate in local governance processes, and that their voice is still marginally heard, despite the many mechanisms and supportive policy in addition to the regulatory frameworks put in place to catalyse youth active participation.

A study conducted by Never Again Rwanda (2018) on factors contributing to low citizen participation in local government imihigo process concluded, among others, that District imihigo that is allocated public budget is generally not responsive to youth needs and priorities. It also pointed out to youth (representatives) being mainly used by local authorities to mobilise their fellows towards the execution of government policies and programs but rarely to shape them.

“In many cases, we are told to implement projects such as the construction of a cell office, schools, and roads and we are even requested to make a contribution in cash or in kind but in most cases, we are not part of the design and planning processes” (FGD, Citizens, Huye).

Another serious challenge hindering youth participation is the fact that while multiple citizen consultations mechanisms such as Inteko z’Abaturage, Umuganda, Umugoroba w’Umuryango, and others, some youths do not fully utilise these available spaces to engage local leaders on their concerns and priorities due to limited policy literacy, capacity, and confidence to hold their leaders accountable.  Other factors include youth unemployment, limited trust between youth and older people, also that some mechanisms and approaches used by local leaders to engage youth are not youth friendly, among others.

In addition, evidence from the field-level practice also indicate that youth lack confidence and voice power necessary for them to optimally leverage the potential of those existing consultation platforms and vibrantly engage with government policy processes on matters impacting their lives. Some youth leaders are still reluctant to advocate for their constituents. They avoid doing advocacy initiatives or holding local leaders accountable to avoid conflicts with the leaders. For instance, cases where youth who attempted to do advocacy and/or raise issues of corruption among local leaders, were as a result prevented from accessing some services at local level.

The baseline survey conducted in 2022 by Never Again Rwanda for its Dufatanye Kwiyubakira Igihugu Program (DKI) in Kayonza, Nyagatare, Musanze, Burera, Nyanza, Huye, Ngororero and Rusizi districts, indicated that only 60% of surveyed youth (499) reported confidence to participate in citizen engagement meetings at local level and (39.9%) reported confidence to share ideas and priorities during these meetings.

Youth leaders and youth representatives still lack capacities to analyse issues affecting youth, or to effectively communicate them to local leaders. Specifically, young people lack literacy on new and existing government policies and programs, knowledge and understanding of where major government decisions are made (government decision-making machinery), who makes them (power relationships), their weight (hierarchy of decisions), and when they are likely to be made (key moments of decision-making). In this regard, the same baseline study recorded only 27.3% aware of local governance and decision-making machinery, 26.0% aware of the functionalities of existing local citizens consultations structures, 32.4% aware of their rights, roles and responsibilities in local decision-making processes, and 28.3% aware of public policies of high interest to youth.

Similarly, the baseline survey conducted by Never Again Rwanda in 2021 for Youth Engage “Ijwi Ryubaka” in Gisagara, Huye, Nyamagabe, Ngororero and Rusizi districts showed a limited proportion of youth (51.7%) who are aware of existing specialised platforms /spaces for youth consultations and inputs in policy and decision making. The same baseline demonstrated limited capacities and confidence among youth and youth leaders to demand for accountability.  Specifically, only 58.2% of interviewed youth reported comfort to hold local leaders accountable on what is not going well in villages and/or cells, especially the programs aimed to address youth’s needs and priorities.

In addition, the level of comfort among youth to openly ask local leaders how the budget allocated to youth development projects has been used was very low with an average of 38.5%. Again, only 51.5% of interviewed youth agreed that youth leaders /representatives at cell and or sector level provide timely feedback on how issues of youth have been addressed. Finally, only (42.8%) youth prefer to use citizen assemblies as their most preferred consultative and feedback mechanisms which is one of the factors why youth participation in citizen assemblies is limited.

Our efforts in youth engagement

To contribute to addressing the above highlighted knowledge and capacity gap, Never Again Rwanda revamped the “Youth Engagement pillar” in its Strategic Plan (2021-2025) dedicated to nurturing capacity and confidence among youth of various categories to be able to participate in local governance and decision-making processes. Through the pillar, NAR’s goal is for decisions and policy making to be driven by youth needs, priorities, and innovations.  NAR provides youth with critical thinking skills, human rights education, peace education, support youth-initiated projects, create safe spaces for dialogue, facilitate intergenerational dialogue, engage youth in democratic processes and avail tools for youth engagement and empowerment.

Specifically, under its various programs such as Dufatanye Kwiyubakira Igihugu, Youth engage and Youth Lab, NAR is providing youth leaders, especially the newly elected youth representatives with policy literacy through trainings on leadership, human rights, critical thinking, civic participation, governance, gender, basic policy analysis and advocacy. The objective of these trainings is to increase youth leadership skills and confidence for them to actively engage in governance and decision-making, strengthen their advocacy and communication skills and subsequently influence local decisions through existing consultation platforms.

The impact

Since January 2021, NAR has trained more than 800 youth leaders and youth representatives from Huye, Gisagara, Nyanza, Nyamagabe, Ngororero, Rusizi, Musanze, Burera, Nyagatare and Kayonza. In addition, 45% of its beneficiaries in the same period are youth (5,974 youth including 2,893 females and 3,081 males) who were engaged in different activities across all programs.

Through different capacity building sessions, youth leaders were educated on existing citizen participation structures and how they can use their potential to maximize their participation to voice their needs and concerns. They have equally been educated on systematic identification of youth issues, structuring and analysis as well as how to effectively advocate for youth priorities at different levels. The trainings were viewed as very productive by youth leaders and engaged local leaders. For example, majority of the trained youth leaders acknowledge that it is the first training of its kind since elected and committed to apply the knowledge in their daily work as youth representatives.

Youth leaders demonstrated increased confidence to engage their peers, consult them and provide them with feedback. They have equally demonstrated a good level of comfort to engage local leaders on issues and priorities for youth. The supported youth leaders were able to set a practical example for both local leaders and citizens for a genuine and inclusive consultation.

“I used to think that my role is only mobilizing youth to implement community activities such as Umuganda, but from this training, I have realized that my first role is rather advocacating for youth needs and priorities.  I really appreciate the training especially critical thinking session, I will use the skills to work with my fellow youth to collectively identify, analyze youth needs and challenges to inform our advocacy efforts” A female youth leader, Nyanza district

“I used to witness human rights violations in my sector, which in some cases were committed by local leaders, however I could not report that. From now on, I feel confident to stand against human rights violations”.  A male youth leader in Rusizi.

Also, in some dialogue and discussions, youth leaders confidently challenged local leaders and held them accountable on several issues including injustices, poor service delivery and corruptions that hamper effective youth participation.

An example is one youth in Musanze who openly challenged the vice mayor about a rehabilitation project they had worked on; where the district had pledged to supply bicycles (taxi Velo) to a former drug addicts youth group “Hinduka uhindure Abandi” but for years the district had not yet fulfilled the commitment. After the discussion, the Vice Mayor in charge of Economic development promised to follow it up and give him feedback as soon as possible.

In one of the roundtable discussions, the youth in Nyagatare openly raised issues to the Vice-mayor who was present in the dialogue. Among the challenges highlighted include lack of a playground to facilitate sports among youth, lack and expensive prosthetic devices for people with disability and youth unemployment among others. The vice mayor committed to bring the issues to the district committee for further discussions.  With above examples, the roundtable discussions provided spaces for youth consultations and/or a feedback mechanism between youth and local leaders.

This is the trend that was seen in most of the trainings, roundtable dialogues and consultative feedback sessions. The local leaders committed to support the trained youth leaders in addition to closely working with them to understand youth needs and challenges to consequently inform their decision-making processes.  The mayor in charge of social affairs in Nyanza district appreciated NAR’s support in building the capacities of youth leaders including the newly elected youth leaders.

“The district is happy for Never Again Rwanda as a partner in promoting good governance. We appreciate the support for building the capacities of the youth leaders. We are proud that the trained youth will be able to deliver on their responsibilities. Moving forward, we will start engaging the trained youth leaders to co-facilitate the citizens assemblies and other consultative platforms to facilitate them practicing the acquired skills and ensure youth ownership of these mechanisms” Vice Mayor, Nyanza District.

The trained youth demonstrated increased understanding of their roles and responsibilities as active citizens, human rights, and how they can use the acquired skills to advocate for their rights and for the marginalised groups.

The trained youth leaders have so far started to amplify the collection and analysis of youth needs and priorities, engaging relevant local leaders in dialogues with youth to critically identify solutions to the highlighted challenges. Some have even started co-facilitating with local leaders to organize citizens consultations dialogues especially those intended for youth. In addition, trained youth leaders increased their engagement with peers on different human rights issues and jointly identified mitigation strategies.

The trained youth leaders in Nyagatare district started campaigns against the persistent issues – drug abuse and teenage pregnancies. The sector leaders appreciated their initiatives and committed to support them.

“We are cognizant of the youth contribution in the development of our country. These issues of drug abuse and teenage pregnancies need the involvement of everyone, and we are counting on you. The sector is ready to work with you to address this issue”. Tabagwe Sector Executive Secretary, Nyagatare

Other trained youth leaders have conducted awareness campaigns on dire issues like malnutrition, unemployment, school dropout, among others, different platforms like through Inteko z’Abaturage. This also promoted local leaders to make commitments to make changes and address the issues highlighted.

Our commitment

To sustain such results, NAR is committed to continue providing capacity building to various categories of youth to increase their confidence, provide them with space for dialogue and facilitate accountability at local level. NAR will also continue to identify and support relevant youth initiatives meant to increase their understanding of human rights, policy literacy and citizen engagements in local decisions-making processes.

By Celestin Ngengiyumva

In Rwanda, right from the smallest administrative unit (Umudugudu) to the legislative assembly, women are represented in decision-making positions. As a matter of fact, Rwanda is the first country in the world to achieve a female majority parliament with 61.3% representation. This highlights the country’s keenness and commitment to the realization of women’s rights and gender equality, as a prerequisite for inclusive and equitable economic growth and sustainable national development.

In the period leading to the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, women were almost invisible in public arenas and were mostly confined in the public sphere performing mainly reproductive roles such as unpaid care work. After the genocide, women became avant-garde for reconstruction efforts undertaking not only traditional roles relegated to them but also becoming prominent in roles such as leadership and more visible in politics.

National laws and policies like the equal inheritance rights for both the girl and boy child, law N° 22/99 of 12/11/1999, that also instituted matrimonial regimes, liberalities, and successions, undoubtedly show how women’s inclusion in governance processes is a key pillar for a holistic transformation of a society and that policies should therefore adequately accommodate women’s needs.

Nonetheless, challenges persist in that woman still do not feel confident to express themselves in public. This is because illiteracy disproportionately affects women and years of retrogressive culture that hindered women’s participation in the public arena. In addition, structural barriers prevent women from fully enjoying the benefits of the laws granting them equal rights, benefits, and opportunities. It is in this regard that Women Inspire Forums have been viewed to be a critical tool for women empowerment.

As a partner to the country’s development efforts, through our USAID-funded DKI activity, NAR has been holding women inspire forums in our districts of operation – Huye, Nyanza, Kayonza, Nyagatare, Ngororero, Rusizi, Musanze and Burera. What started as just spaces for support and solidarity, where women share their challenges, has today morphed into platforms where women can inspire and empower themselves to become active in governance processes and participate in citizen spaces such as “Umugoroba w’ababyeyi”.

Women Inspire Forums have served as an avenue for women in the different districts of interventions to gain an awareness of their rights and the national programs that affect them directly. Particularly, it has been a conduit through which women can openly share about their concerns and be involved in governance processes. The forums have invited government representatives in gender issues such as the Nation Women Councils (NWCs) and representatives of local governments to interact with women beneficiaries and provide feedback on issues such as challenges in service delivery, teenage pregnancy among others. An added benefit of the forums has been that they have served as a peer-to-peer platform for the women to inspire each other and give advice for those interested in exploring income generating activities. They are determined to face the implicit and explicit barriers to their full participation and economic growth.  Feedback from the session has included:

“In our communities where we live, government programs and policies are not known, I am glad that you are helping us to know them so that we teach them back in our communities and cooperatives where we meet with women” a participant from Karama sector, Huye district.

Overall, the space has been effective in building the capacities of women, increasing their confidence to participate in governance, analyzing their needs and ability to engage with elected women local leaders to address their needs and concerns. Similarly, the Women inspire forums have increased trust among the women. Participants have expressed that the forum is a platform for joint reflection on challenges affecting them, sharing opportunities, a safe space to discuss sensitive issues they face and jointly identify, analyze, and package policy issues affecting women.

Never Again Rwanda (NAR), as an organization, is committed to promoting gender equality and combating discrimination. We accomplish this by integrating gender perspective in our programming and by building the organizational capacity and ownership to attain gender sensitive programming, organizational structure, and procedures and having programs specifically targeting women such as the Women Inspire Forum.  We believe that enabling equal access to resources, knowledge, and economic prosperity for women and leveraging their talent, creativity, and determination for economic good, will keep propelling the country further.

Written by:

Leah Tesfamariam

Lead Gender Mainstreaming/ Strategic and Technical Advisor