Members of Civil Society gained knowledge to strengthen Advocacy in Justice

By Malachie TUYISHIME.

Members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working in Justice Sector and Human Rights in Gasabo District were given further knowledge in conducting evidence-based advocacy in the sector of Justice and Human Rights.

The training that was organized by Ihorere Munyarwanda Organization (IMRO) has a core objective to empower CSOs working in justice sector and human rights to contribute to the district’s justice priorities.

Aimable Mwananawe, the National Coordinator of IMRO explained that the general objective of the training was to further capacity of CSOs to do evidence-based advocacy in justice and Human Rights sector.

“Advocacy should base on evidence, CSOs from Gasabo District were equipped with knowledge to help them do well informed advocacy. This training was also to recall the partnership between the district, CSOs and faith based organizations working in the district. These entities have a role to play in building reconciliation and mediation among Rwandans, which reduce losses spent in courts as they find solutions to existing conflicts on the ground,” Mwananawe said.

Trained CSOs members presented some gaps in terms of justice that need be tackled like increased number of teenagers who were impregnated during Covid-19.

 Abanyuze Ntaganda Regina, one of trainees from Never Again Rwanda Organization said that justice is respected but not at hundred percent due to some circumstances.

“Some issues are not progressing and it is the reason why we show the Government what and where to correct. In my recommendations, in justice sector, I have presented a big problem in Education Sector where girl students are getting pregnant at their early age during Covid-19. We are doing advocacy campaigns with the local authorities in the sectors we work from to reduce such problems.” She said.

Vedaste Nizeyimana, another participant to the training from Center for Rule of Law Rwanda Organization (CERULAR) that focuses on legal aid advocacy said that the training was enough helpful.

“We were reminded that advocacy should base on evidence. Most of the time evidence is not fully discovered, we got to know that we cannot do advocacy without any research conducted, advocacy is research-based not opinion, when we base on opinion, we will not influence what we want, so, this training was very important,” he said.

Nabahire Anastase, the Coordinator of Justice Reconciliation, Law and Order Strategy (JRLOS) in the Ministry of Justice (MINIJUST) reminded CSOs working in justice sector and human rights that they work in the interests of citizens.

He said that partnership with CSOs is the government priority.

“We expect a vibrant partnership by 2024 with the National strategy for Transformation (NST1) – thus contributing to a nation free of injustice,” Nabahire noted.

Me Gasana Rwangeyo Desire, MAJ Coordinator in Gasabo District reiterated that justice is a crosscutting cycle that combines together the efforts of the Ministry, citizens, civil society organizations, national security officers (Police and Rwanda Collection Services (RCS) as justice enforcement entities.

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