Children’s Right to Protection
A strategic goal 1 of our 2026–2030 strategic plan
The Right to Protection is well recognised by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) especially in its article 19. The protection of children’s rights is fundamental to fostering a safe and nurturing environment where children can thrive. As vulnerable members of society, children require specific safeguards to ensure their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
These strategic Goals aim to promote and uphold children’s right to protection, addressing various forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation that can hinder their development and quality of life.
Children’s Voice Today (CVT) focused on three major outcomes:
- Reducing child labor
- Strengthening Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) knowledge
- Eliminating physical and humiliating punishment
| 🚫Reducing Child Labour | 💙Strengthening SRHR Knowledge and Access | 🤝Ending Physical and Humiliating Punishment |
|---|---|---|
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Significant progress has been made in reducing child labour in Rwanda. National statistics indicate a decline from 5.4% in 2020 to 3.3% in 2023/24. |
Children and adolescents have significantly improved their knowledge and access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services. |
Efforts to promote positive parenting and discipline have transformed both family relationships and community attitudes. |
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Children’s Voice Today contributed to this reduction through grassroots advocacy and community engagement. The number of children withdrawn from child labour and enrolled in school increased from:
25 children (15 boys, 10 girls) in 2021
➡️ to
171 children (89 boys, 82 girls) in 2025
This impact was achieved in Burera, Nyarugenge, and Ruhango districts, where trained grassroots children’s groups
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A total of 995 adolescents (434 boys and 561 girls) across three districts participated:
Nyarugenge: 442
Burera: 294
Ruhango: 259
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Impact on Parents and Caregivers
A total of 1,138 parents and caregivers (689 men and 449 women) were trained across Burera, Ruhango, and Nyarugenge. They gained:
Knowledge of non-violent discipline
Improved communication skills
Tools to reduce stress and manage behavior positively
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- Street Connected children issues are prevented
- Increased knowledge of Adolescents on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and access to related services.
- Physical and Humiliating Punishments are prohibited in all setting
- Increasing Knowledge of children om Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support Services
- Improved digital literacy and AI safety knowledge among young people