he Rwandan government has taken measures to advance the rights of deaf girls and women, and officials continue stressing the importance of learning sign language to improve communication with the deaf community.

Let’s take a look at five key things the government has done to promote the rights of deaf girls and women.

1. Improved inclusion in labor market through vocational skills

Dativa Mukashema, the Executive Director of Rwanda National Association of Deaf Women (RNADW), highlighted programmes aimed at promoting the rights of deaf young girls and women, especially by enhancing their inclusion in employment opportunities.

"We have introduced an initiative that teaches vocational skills in tailoring, hospitality, and hairdressing, enabling deaf women and young girls to acquire these skills at no cost. Our goal is to empower them to enter the labour market,” she explained.

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Upon completing the programme, participants will receive certificates from Rwanda Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Board, which opens doors for securing jobs and provides the knowledge needed to start their own businesses. Mukashema said: "By offering these vocational training opportunities, RNADW aims to break down barriers to employment and ensure that deaf women and girls have the skills and confidence necessary to thrive in the workforce.”

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An initiative led by RNADW, in collaboration with Kimisagara Youth Centre, is providing young deaf women with essential vocational skills in trades such as tailoring, hospitality, and hairdressing, and promoting a more inclusive society.

Allen Uwera, 27, one of the 30 deaf women benefitting from a six-month free vocational training workshop, said: "Through the vocational training programme, I have learned tailoring, a skill I never thought I could master before.

"This experience has not only given me the confidence to pursue a career and the tools to, one day, start my own business. I now feel empowered to enter the job market and create opportunities for myself, something that seemed impossible before.”

2. Community awareness on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights needs of the deaf

Community awareness of sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) within the deaf community is a key focus for RNADW. Mukashema highlighted the importance of advancing the SRHR of deaf women and girls through programmes in youth centers nationwide.

The initiative involves basic sign language training for nurses and community health workers to improve communication with deaf clients, particularly in family planning and SRHR services.

It also aims to raise awareness among deaf youth through interactive sessions in schools and workshops that educate them about safe sexual practices, prevent sexually transmitted infections, and promote maternal and child health, empowering the deaf community to advocate for their SRHR effectively.

"Accessing sign language training for four month improved sexual and reproductive health services that we provide to the deaf community in our camp. It used to be a challenge because of the communication barrier,” said Agatha Mukarusanga, a nurse in Mahama Refugee Camp, in Kirehe District.

"Now, with more nurses and health workers with sign language skills, communication flows easily and we empower the deaf to make informed decisions about their health. They come and we talk and they get any information they need,” the nurse added.

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3. Gender-based violence prevention for deaf young girls in refugee camps

Preventing gender-based violence among deaf young girls in refugee camps is a key priority, according to Mukashema. These girls face significant communication barriers that make it difficult for them to report abuse or seek help, she noted. To address this challenge, the organization is providing sign language training, enabling the beneficiaries to express their needs and experiences more effectively.

"Most deaf girls in refugee camps struggle to communicate, making it hard to report instances of harm, especially since many humanitarian workers lack the necessary sign language skills,” she explained. This communication gap hinders their ability to seek help and limits their access to vital sexual and reproductive health education.

As such RNADW established programmes in refugee camps such as Mahama and Gihembe, as well as in urban areas, focusing on sign language instruction. By equipping these girls with communication skills, the initiative aims to create a safer environment where they can advocate for themselves, access essential services, and reduce the risk of gender-based violence within their communities.

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4. Teaching sign language to basic service providers

Teaching sign language to basic service providers is a vital initiative aimed at enhancing communication access for the deaf community. Mukashema explained that the training uses various visual-based materials to effectively educate participants about sign language.

"We primarily focus on government offices, youth centers, and refugee camps to ensure that deaf individuals can easily access services. By incorporating interactive methods and practical exercises, the programme equips service providers with essential sign language skills and fosters a more inclusive environment,” she said.

"This initiative empowers deaf individuals to seek assistance confidently, breaking down communication barriers and promoting greater accessibility across different sectors.”

5. Workshops on deafness and child safeguarding to parents

According to RNADW, deaf children in the country face significant challenges in communicating with their parents and family members due to a lack of sign language skills.

"This communication gap creates barriers to understanding and interaction within the family, often leading to feelings of isolation for the deaf child,” said Mukashema.

In response, Inclusive Rwanda, a non-government organisation that promotes the inclusion of children with disabilities by mainstreaming them in public schools, launched a project called Home Based Sign Language, which provides workshops on deafness and child safeguarding specifically for parents of deaf children.

The programme offers weekly training sessions in Rwandan sign language for both the deaf children and one hearing family member.

"By equipping families with necessary sign language skills, the initiative fosters stronger communication, improves family dynamics, and creates a more inclusive home environment. This enhances the emotional well-being of deaf children and empowers family members to engage in meaningful interactions, ensuring the child’s needs are understood and met effectively,” Mukashema explained.

Mukashema noted that the biggest challenge is that some parents do not allow their children to participate in these programmes.

"I believe that limited awareness about the abilities of deaf women and girls prevents us from understanding how many could benefit from our programmes. Additionally, financial constraints pose a challenge, as these project-based initiatives rely heavily on donor support. We need more backing to expand and scale our initiatives,” she said.