HAGURUKA, a local NGO that fights for the rights of children and women, is set to focus more on advocacy than service delivery.

This was revealed yesterday in the organisation’s annual general meeting that brought together child and women activists from all over the country.

"Children and women are a vulnerable group whose rights are often overlooked or even encroached, and it was every Rwandan’s responsibility to protect their rights,” Zaina Nyiramatama, the NGO’s Executive Secretary told The Sunday Times.

She added that everyday they receive a big number of women and children whose rights have been violated so it’s our role to protect their rights.

"Government should join hands with the Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) and follow up the welfare of the children who are the victims of the irresponsible guardians and parents,” she requested.

Nyiramatama revealed that HAGURUKA is ensuring that full implementation efforts are going to the right directions and bringing changes to the children’s lives in Rwanda.

According to Felix Muramutsa, the vice president of HAGURUKA, the violation of children and women’s rights should be condemned and the offenders be prosecuted in courts of law.

He noted that the delay in funds from donors is a challenge to the organisation.

Muramutsa disclosed that most employees of the organisation face a challenge of not speaking English yet most of their development partners speak English.

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