Kigali, 20th November, 2014 – “Listening to children and considering seriously what they say is one of our government’s commitments. Children have knowledge that is unique to their situation. They have views and ideas, and for us to formulate effective strategies in child rights and protection, we need the best information from children themselves”, said the Right Honorable Prime Minister, Anastase Murekezi, during his opening remarks at the 10th Children’s summit and CRC 25th anniversary held at Parliament.

During the event, where 507 children from across the country convened to discuss child rights and protection, Rwandan children expressed gratitude to the government for giving them a platform from which they can share their ideas.

“Listening to children is a positive symbol of love and respect. Listening to children is about respecting them. We are grateful to the government for having given us an opportunity to express our views, but also having those views considered,” said the national chairperson of children’s forum Uwase Honorine.

“Our rights are being respected because we are in school, have freedom of speech and get access to healthcare,” added Leoncia Urayeneza, from Gatsibo District, Eastern Province.

The children at the summit called for continued support especially for vulnerable children and requested authorities to consider setting up a special chamber in courts to try cases of child abuse. In addition to this they highlighted the access to inclusive quality education, health care, and protection against violence as some of the major areas where children are benefiting from immensely.

The 10th Children’s summit and CRC 25th anniversary also brought together 17 children from the East African Community states, top government officials, and mayors from Rwanda’s 30 districts.

Twenty years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has successfully built a legal and policy framework that enables the advancement of child rights. Advancements in healthcare, education, and social protection are also some of the factors that have transformed children’s lives. Most notably Rwanda has one of the highest primary school enrolment rates in Africa at 97 per cent and can boast of reduced infant mortality due to its progress in the healthcare sector.

According to the UN resident coordinator, Lamin Manneh, who also attended the summit, the country and its leaders, should be proud of what they have achieved for Rwandan children. “We have all the reason to celebrate,” he said. “Indeed, there have been several achievements in child rights and protection over the past years. This is because when children speak, Rwanda listens.”

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Honorable Oda Gasinzigwa, appealed to parents to ensure a positive upbringing of their children. “Parents should strive to always meet their responsibilities. They should listen to their children, not suppressing theme. Listening to children is about respecting them and helping them learn to value the importance of respecting others,” she said.

This year, the annual national children’s summit coincided with the 25 anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was themed: “20 years and beyond: Advancing Children Rights in Rwanda”. It was organized by the National Commission for Children (NCC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, provinces, the City of Kigali, with the technical and financial support of UNICEF, Global Communities, and World Vision.

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