World Vision, REWU, Western Province commit to fight for Children’s rights
Through “It takes Every Rwandan” Campaign, the World Vision Rwanda, in collaboration with the Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU) have met officials at various levels in the Western Part of Rwanda against to chart the way to end crimes of Child Labour and Child sexual abuse.
The Meeting which is similar to the other one that took place in Muhanga District, the Southern Province, focused on finding solutions to the persisting problems of Child sexual abuse and child labour.
The issue of child sexual abuse has taken another level, as in 2019/2020, Rwandan senators identified 4,265 abused children, of whom 97.4% were girls and 2.6% boys.
In addition to child sexual abuse, it has also been pointed out that there are still issues of child labour, especially in the quarrying sector, where children are required to go with their parents in these jobs so that the family can get paid more money.
REWU Secretary General Eng. André Mutsindashyaka said they are going to do whatever possible to tackle the issue of child labour in Mining and quarrying Industry.
“We have received information from the districts, indicating that this problem exists. We are going to hold meetings and briefs, so that the mine workers can be trained on children’ rights and their obligations to protect children from illicit labour such as working in mines or quarries.” Eng. Mutsindashyaka said
He added that the fact that miners are paid based on the minerals extracted, that led some parents to bring their children to help them get more.
Gemma Mukandekezi, World Vision Rwanda’s Ag. Programs Director, said that while all stakeholders are working together to find a solution, it is very likely that the issue will be completely resolved.
“Children are the heritage of the country, which is why we should protect them from any form of violence,” she said. “There are ways to identify and deal with child abuse. We need to make an effort to educate the public and make them aware of this in order to report any case of child abuse so that perpetrators can be brought to justice.” Mrs Mukandekezi said
The Executive Secretary of the Western Province, Uwambajemariya Florence, promised to step up their efforts to work together, both at the grassroots level and to strengthen cooperation between non-governmental organizations such as World Vision and REWU.
“We have found that we need to coordinate the data, coordinate the reporting process and put more effort into preventing child abuse and child labour before even such crimes to occur. We are going to strengthen coordination, work with partners like World Vision and REWU, where we are committed to establishing a forum to work closely together,” she said.
World Vision also unveiled its 7272 toll free line that can be used to report child abuse, and can also be accessed at http://complaints.wvrwanda.org/ where the information is immediately communicated to the authorities.
