estimated 101,000 children living in some 42,000 households. These children
are on their own, either because their parents were killed in the genocide,
died of AIDS or have been imprisoned for genocide-related crimes.8
53. Consequently, health services, education, economic and financial
development, and welfare of child headed households were adversely
affected. However, over the last years, the Government of Rwanda has made
remarkable progress in rebuilding the country and this struggle continues
until today. In this area, the most important focus of the government is to
restore the economic and financial situation, wealth, health and education of
the child headed households. To improve on child health, Rwanda designed
a community based health program meant to contribute to the improvement
of people at the community level, especially mothers and children. The
community health worker in general and the community health worker in
charge of maternal and child health care as well as other home-based care
providers ensure crucial maternal and child care services starting the time of
pregnancy until childbirth in every sector.
54. Primary education is compulsory and free in primary school which is in line
with article 20 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 2003 as
revised in 2015. It states that “Every person has right to education. Freedom
of learning and teaching shall be guaranteed in accordance with conditions
determined by law”. Primary education is compulsory and is free in public
schools. The Government usually identifies families and households that
cannot afford the other costs of education, such as uniforms and learning
materials, and provides for them. Various options for social protection, such
as school stipends or other cash transfer schemes are provided for those
children who for economic, social or cultural reasons, tend to stay out of
school (including but not limited to girl children, children affected by HIV
and AIDS, other vulnerable children).
55. Rwanda demonstrated a strong commitment to children’s rights, having
ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1990 and
provides periodic report on the implementation of this convention. In
addition, there is an excellent progress in ensuring children’s rights with a
number of law and policies, the establishment of a National Commission for
8
ICTR newsletter (November 2006).
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