Affiliates menu

2.3.2 Rwanda

Legislation

  • New Constitution provides for the creation of National Council of PWDs
  • Parliament enacted law for establishment of the Council (2011)
  • Prime Minister’s decree put in place to determine organization structure of the Council (2011)
  • The adoption of the Law to Protect the Rights of PWDs (2007)
  • The UN Convention on the Rights of PWDs (December 2008) has been ratified

Policies and strategies

The following are in place:

  • A national policy for PWDs
  • A policy on Special needs Education
  • Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy: PWDs are included
  • A social Protection Strategy: PWDs are included
  • A comprehensive Policy of Special Needs Education has been developed and focuses on ‘Inclusive Education’ as an ideal educational model

Programmes

  • Disabled people are integrated in the national development programmes such as Ubudehe Programme and Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme (VUP). VUP and Ubudehe are the programmes aiming to reduce poverty and accelerate development.
  • PWDs receive vocational training and they are trained in income generating activities
  • Affirmative action in institutions of higher learning
  • Vulnerable PWDs receive medical insurance free of charge
  • They also benefit from housing programs for the most poor
  • They are also encouraged to participate in cooperatives
  • PWDs are represented in National Assembly and EALA

Challenges

  • Mindset and social attitudes towards PWDs
  • Lack of self-esteem of PWDs
  • Lack of sufficient financial and human resources to execute the programmes
  • People with visual and hearing impairment continue to lack access to information
  • Some children with disabilities miss out on education because of the ignorance of their parents

Recommendations

  • Promote social entrepreneurship targeting vulnerable people, particularly PWDs in order to promote active participation of PWDs in national development
  • Set up strategies and mechanisms on building self-esteem and on fighting a bad behavior of begging among PWDs
  • Promote partnership and cooperation between organizations representing PWDs in Partner States
  • Demonstrate and celebrate the abilities and achievements of PWDs in order to build more confidence and self-esteem, and to reduce marginalization

top