Context
Rwanda has made progress in good governance and human rights. However, the country still faces challenges in implementing the rights of vulnerable groups. These include women, young people, people with disabilities, people with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the rural population, people held in detention and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, inter*, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people.
Many civil society organisations (CSOs) in Rwanda are committed to promoting and defending rights. However, they face institutional and personnel-related challenges.
Objective
The capacities of CSOs have been developed so that they can effectively promote and enforce the rights of vulnerable groups in Rwanda. The rights of the groups are thus fully protected and their interests are successfully represented.
Approach
The project supports civil society engagement to better realise human rights while also helping to reduce poverty. The project covers three areas:
Developing the capacities of CSOs: The project trains and advises CSOs to expand their institutional and personnel capacities, focusing in particular on LGBTIQA+, diversity, inclusion and human rights.
Supporting vulnerable groups: The project provides lawyers, advice and services to help disadvantaged people exercise and demand their rights.
Advising on strategies: The project also advises CSOs on developing and monitoring national strategies for human rights. CSOs participate in the drafting of legislation and promote the rights of LGBTIQA+ individuals or people with disabilities, for example, through campaigning that raises awareness of the interests of disadvantaged groups.
The project also supports CSOs in line with the ‘leave no one behind’ (LNOB) principle.