IT IS A KNOWN FACT that countries can’t develop if turmoil prevails and yet the most affected of such extended terror are children. The incidence of child violence in Africa is growing and millions of children remain exposed to becoming victims and witnesses of prolonged wars and conflicts.

Despite continental efforts to aspire for peace and advancement for the protection of children rights, it is depressing to see children born, live and grow in conflict related situations and at the same time suffer the worst effects of climate change, severe poverty and health risks such as Covid-19 pandemic.

It is rather obvious that children are protected from any form of violence for they are our future generations. However, there are many more reasons that call for their protection.

One critical reason why children should never be exposed and involved in violence at an early age is that they learn from the environment they live in, which later shape their future conduct and behavior, sometimes in ways that are difficult to reverse.

More to this, the impact of violence on children is disastrous because they aren’t yet mature to accept and understand the phenomenon of extreme violence and its effects on society.

It is therefore important that our societies start engaging and planning to protect children not only during active conflicts but also in peacetime to prevent such circumstances.

 Rwanda ahead of curve

Rwanda, on the other hand, continue to invest strategically in the future of children by prioritizing a peaceful and safety society that protects children both domestically and internationally in countries where Rwandan troops contribute to peacebuilding.  

The country has mainstreamed child protection in conflict prevention activities with the aim of achieving and sustaining peace.

Child protection is also grounded in Rwandan values and culture. For when a child is born, he or she is celebrated and given a name. The parents hold the child up as they recite "Jyejuru” which means, grow. A child is entitled as "A King”, (umwana n’umutware) and with a clear understanding that you can’t shape child’s behavior at a later age, (umwana apfa mw’iterura), among others.

Preventing conflicts that deprive children of their happiness and wellbeing is more about shifting mindset to put into actions necessary measures that lead towards achieving goals of sustainable peace.

Much has been achieved in Rwanda in developing national policies and establishing initiatives that puts the rights of children at the heart of development.

Moreover, the concept of human security in Rwanda reflects the importance of prioritizing the needs of children in all development endeavors, including peace and security. Conventions aspired and led by Rwanda both the Kigali Principles and the Vancouver Principles speaks to the importance this agenda.

The effective implementation of these principles translates to putting an end to the odds of using destructive conflict, oppression, and violence for problem solving to raising good citizens.

 Building resilient communities

Rwanda has proved to the world that building peace is hard but possible, in fact it is a matter choice and a commitment from all levels for its attainment. The model for building resilient communities in Rwanda is based on prioritizing the needs of children with an understanding that children and youth are at the centre of resilience.

These initiatives are implemented through integrated community-based approaches that contribute to achieving inclusive basic social services to both boys and girls through quality education, health and nutrition services, water and improved sanitation and protection from any form of violence and shocks helping them to realize their potentials.

From the Rwandan perspective, the upbringing and protection of a child is a collective effort and responsibility for the entire community. It is common practice for those around children to protect them from potential harmful acts such as abuse, hunger, and lack of belonging and friends.

This collective responsibility to care for children creates resilient communities in the sense that it reduces vulnerabilities and partially prevents terrible events from having severe impact across these communities.

Also, the social responsibility built through decentralized structures creates a sense of accountability and allows for citizen participation to care for children. Such collaboration develops a strong bond that could guide communities on how to address issues facing them in peace and tackle conflict using nonviolent means. 

 What it means for a child to be born in Rwanda

According to the Rwanda Demographic Health Survey (RDHS) of 2019/20; 93 percent (live birth) deliveries take place in a health facility whereas 96% of children of age 12-23 month receive all basic vaccinations.

Significant reduction in the trends of childhood mortality has been recorded whereby neonatal mortality rate has dropped from 44/1000 live birth in 2000 to 14/1000 live in 2019/2020. Further, infant mortality has dropped by two thirds from 107/1000 live birth in 2000 to only 33/1000 in 2019/2020.

During the same period, under five mortality decreased from 196/1000 livebirth in 2000 to 45/1000. 98% of children enroll in primary school. Household characteristics that has impact on children include household amenities.

75 percent of population in Rwanda have access to clean drinking water while 62 percent have access to improved sanitation facilities, whereas 80% of families have access to health insurance. Fertility rate among women of reproductive age has gone down from an average of 6.1 in 2005 to 4.2 in 2014/15.

 Where are the missing children?

However, as we celebrate efforts and successes achieved by the government of Rwanda in partnership with stakeholders on upholding the rights of children, more remains to be done.

The latest RDHS reported that 33 percent of children under 5 in Rwanda are stunted while only 17.3 percent of children the same age have minimal acceptable diet according to the previous RDHS (2014/15).

The trend in child nutrition status has not been impressive despite the level of financial investments injected in this programme. However, nutrition and health interventions have been introduced for this category of children nationwide and a core package on preventive nutrition specific interventions have been put in place.

This shows that the government is giving the issue the attention it deserves knowing its long-term effect on human development capacities.

Although Rwanda registers high rates of live birth deliveries in hospital, there are less birth certificates registered for children.

According to the RDH 2014/15, only 50 percent of children were registered in civil and vital statistics system at sectors. Also, only 49.3 percent of children aged 6 years have access to Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD) services, while 30 percent of children of the same age have access to pre-primary education.

Young boys and girls continue to suffer effects of family conflict and negligence of parents to care for them which is among many reasons children forego streets for homes.

Child labor is one form of violence that continue to affect the lives of children and sexual abuse. The RDHS of 2014/15 reported that among girls of age 15-19, 7.3 percent had begun childbearing.

Children’s right holds legitimacy for peace; however, their rights surpass benefits society expects of them. Children should be cared for because they are human beings moreover children.

A lot has been achieved on this front and beyond, but we can do much better to make sure that no child is left behind for they are the secret of the future of the nation especially from the perspective of building peaceful societies and good citizens.

The views expressed in this article are of the author.