How evidence-based advocacy can boost CSOs work

By Elias Hakizimana.

Advocacy that is based on research was proven to lead Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in their work and to help them achieve their objectives.

Me. Yves Sezirahiga, Lawyer and Lecturer at University of Rwanda advised Rwanda’s CSOs working on health promotion to first do research on the issues they want to advocate for before they make other approaches in concerned entities.

He made the remarks on Friday, October 10, 2020 while giving the lesson on Advocacy and Networking to the members of CSOs during a workshop on strengthening their capacity to make a strong voice while helping the community to find response to early pregnancies among adolescents.

The workshop was organized by Ihorere Munyarwanda Organization (IMRO).

Me. Yves Sezirahiga, Lawyer and Lecturer at University of Rwanda advised Rwanda’s CSOs working on health promotion to first do research on the issues they want to advocate for before they make other approaches in concerned entities.

“Advocacy should always target a change; the basic thing is that CSOs can do research-based advocacy without basing on their understanding or rumours.” He said.

“I advise them to work joint advocacy activities in order to achieve what they want to advocate for.” He added.

Sezirahiga told the members of CSOs that focus on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) that working in a scattered manner cannot help achieve anything.

Shami Sandra, a member of Community Health Boosters Organization said that the training added her package of knowledge on how she can do successful advocacy based on evidences.

“I gained a lot from this training like how I can do evidence-based advocacy, who I can approach and strategies I can use to do that. I got to know that working in coalition makes great impacts than working scattered. I thank IMRO to organize this workshop; we will manage to share the acquired knowledge to the rest of our staff.” She noted.

Aimable Mwananawe, the National Coordinator of Ihorere Munyarwanda Organization (IMRO) said that the aim of the workshop is to empower CSOs working on Sexual Reproductive Health with the skills to conduct research-based advocacy.

Nooliet Kabanyana, Executive Secretary of Rwanda NGOs Forum on AIDS and Health Promotion (RNGOF) said that the reason for working in coalition is to work hand in hand to end teenage pregnancies and build decent Rwandans

“We know that early pregnancies among adolescent girls stop their future dreams, the step we have made is to sensitize Rwandans through our CSOs and explain them all about SEXUAL Reproductive Health Rights (SRHRs) as well as how they can access contraceptives. A challenge is that at certain age especially children under 18 years are not allowed to go to take contraceptives without being accompanied by her mother. It will be difficult for a girl to tell her mother to accompany her, for that reason; there is a need for adequate advocacy so that adolescents access contraceptives.”