NGO launches campaign on land reform awareness

LandNet Rwanda, on Friday, held its first annual meeting which ended with a launch of a campaign aimed at creating public awareness about the ongoing land reforms. LandNet, is an African-wide network bringing together policy makers, academics and members of the civil society to address land related issues, including, the land policy, land dispute management and mitigation. The meeting, which aimed at assessing the NGO’s 2010 work plan and achievements as well as drawing strategies for 2011 was attended by representatives from various civil society organizations including Haguruka, ActionAid, and Rwanda Women Network. In Rwanda, the network is coordinated by the Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development (RISD).Speaking during the launch, the Director of RISD, Annie Kairaba, noted that although a lot was achieved in 2010, more needs to be done, especially, with the ongoing land reforms. “People need to understand their rights especially at this time when the country is undergoing land reforms,” Kairaba said. During the meeting, members highlighted various land related problems faced by local communities and proposed solutions to addressing them. Among the concerns raised was that of mothers who have no legal protection on land because they are not officially married. Speaking at the meeting, The Director General of the National Land Centre, Dr Emmanuel Nkurunziza, called upon fellow stakeholders dealing in land related issues to sensitize the population about the land reforms and its benefits. Ends