The Rwanda Journalists Association, in partnership with the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organisation, has organised training for local journalists in labour rights.

The week-long training of trainers, which kicked off on Monday, attracted journalists from different media houses in Kigali and lecturers from four different universities that have journalism programmes.

The objective is to equip journalists with knowledge on international labour standards.

It was organised in light of the fact that journalists play a leading role in shaping public opinion, according to organisers.

 "This training will equip the media with skills to report professionally about the pertinent issues,” Gonzaga Muganwa, the Executive Secretary of the Rwanda Association of Journalists, said.

During the training, the national journalistic prize "Media for Labour Rights in Rwanda” will also be launched, said Maura Miraglio, Programme Officer at the International Training Centre.

The prize offers an opportunity to spread information on international labour standards in the country.

The author of the best news story will get an opportunity to attend an international media event.

The training is funded through a partnership between the EU and the Ministry of Finance.