One of the best resources of a nation is its population, its quality of life influences the “value” given to the people. Rwanda’s cabinet approved the “National Strategy for Transformation – 2” [NST2] two weeks ago. NST2 [2024 to 2029] has the Rwandan People at the core of it. Not many nations craft policies to bring ‘quality of life’ in their transformational efforts; neither are strategies framed in these efforts. With time, through a series of NSTs, Rwanda plans to fortify its sectoral strategies focused on meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thus, it depicts the aspiration of Rwanda to become a middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050. Interestingly, the NST2 has five key priorities which aim at elevating the welfare of the people (reducing stunting and malnutrition; improving the quality of education and creating decent and productive jobs), enhancing the economy of the nation (boosting exports), and enhancing the reputation of the political assignment (enhancing public service delivery). Malnutrition, especially child stunting, adversely affects the cognitive development of a child, and it is related to the ‘quality of life’ of the individual. It also affects the nation as tomorrow’s economic growth is dependent on today’s child growth, health, and capable human resources. Of the 14 goals Rwanda has identified, seven are towards the welfare of the people, five are towards the enhancement of the national economy, and two are towards augmenting the reputation of the political assignment. This balance proves the right motive of the government. The new strategic approach is full of vitality, challenging not only the citizens to join the march towards the reduction of child stunting to 15 per cent by 2029, which also requires complementary efforts from its development partners. Rwanda has proved its transparency over the decades in efficiently managing its generated national budget, as well as the development partners funds. This accountability practice by the country’s leadership has created a positive image and trust for Rwanda not only from its citizens but also from its development partners who continue to provide their valuable additional support. Operationalising these five key priorities to achieve the 14 goals requires total commitment and hard work, especially by all concerned. Policies that were crafted enabled environments that catalysed Rwanda’s multisectoral approach, fostering lessons, growth, and transformation. Challenges and gaps were regularly assessed, addressed where possible, and attempted where feasible. Through NST2, Rwanda has set the standards. The Government has set a challenging target of halving the rate of stunting in just five years. Hence, the nation cannot afford to waste a second to deliver concrete actions. Taking a good learning example from India, it has been recorded that it was made possible between 2006 and 2012 in the state of Maharashtra, with a population of over 100 million, the stunting rate among children under two years of age declined from 39 per cent to 24 per cent. Maharashtra did this by elevating nutrition in the consciousness of the population, policymakers, development partners, and entrepreneurs, and by coordinating and intensifying efforts to reduce malnutrition. Malnutrition needs to be addressed with all the levers at our disposal and that starts with powerful alliances. The key lesson from India, and elsewhere, is that we need to work together and foster collaboration. We need to come together quickly to make rapid changes on the front lines of the fight against malnutrition. That means investing in capacity and resources for health workers, educators, agronomists, and community leaders’ needs. We also need public education programmes to shift cultural attitudes, behaviours, to promote the consumption of nutritious foods for women, children, and the whole population. To achieve the accelerated reduction of malnutrition (especially stunting) and achieve the government-set target, a high-level nutrition and food systems coordination body must be established, bringing together key line ministries and their stakeholders. An organ at the top level invested with power to convene and coordinate, strengthening weak sectoral coordination linkages to champion the nutrition agenda, is necessary to drive change. Rwanda hosts key platforms like the recent Africa Food Systems Forum and the upcoming Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Global Gathering in November 2024, which unite global leaders and experts to advance nutrition. The Prime Minister’s September 3, 2024, call for resilient and equitable food policies to combat malnutrition underlines the need for such conferences that are crucial in shaping effective political and financial solutions. Rwanda does not march alone in this journey but with several other partners to make her stand tall through it all. Rwanda is considered a model to adopt, a pattern to follow, and a nation to cherish for the value it gives to its people. The writer is from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN, Rwanda).
![Rwanda’s cabinet approved the “National Strategy for Transformation – 2” [NST2] two weeks ago.](https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/09/10/thumbs/1200x700/58954.jpg "Rwanda’s cabinet approved the “National Strategy for Transformation – 2” [NST2] two weeks ago.")
