Organised by Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA) in partnership the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Rwanda and the Government of Japan. The objective of the course is to equip participants with required knowledge and skills to minimize Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Peace Keeping missions. While officiating the course, Colonel (Rtd) Jill Rutaremara, the Director of Rwanda Peace Academy reminded that GBV is one of the greatest humanitarian challenges, especially in Peace Support Operations. In conflict-affected states, for example, rape is often used as a strategy of warfare to undermine the enemy and to demoralize and destabilize communities. Colonel (Rtd) Rutaremara urged that everyone has a role to play in fighting GBV. “Prevention of and response to SGBV deserves the closest attention of each and every one of us – from individuals to communities and states. Security actors should therefore be equipped with knowledge and skills to enable them to effectively prevent and respond to SGBV thus the essence of this training programme,” he said. The Director of the Rwanda Peace Academy added that GBV prevention measures should be integrated into national and international policies and strategies. “Effective prevention of SGBV can only be possible if women and men’s concerns and experiences are integrated into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.” The official opening of the course coincided with the launching of the 2021/2022 Project on Strengthening the Capacities of the Rwanda Peace Academy, which is a Regional Peacekeeping Training and Research Institution under the Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence. Under this partnership, the Government of Japan through UNDP have provided a new financial support worth $210,000 that will enhance the capacity development of regional security sector actors in conflict prevention, conflict management and resolution as well as peacebuilding. In addition to the SGBV course, four more training courses will be delivered under this project. “The Government of Japan and the UNDP support African-led peace support activities that build and foster institutions for conflict prevention and sustainable peace. This project is in line with the priority areas of the Yokohama Declaration 2019 and Yokohama Action Plan 2019, which were agreed upon at the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development - TICAD7,” explained Ms. Yuko Hotta, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Rwanda. The project also embodies the concept of the New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa (NAPSA) proposed by the Japanese Government at TICAD7, and will contribute to the achievement of these commitments. The RPA has been playing an important role in developing the regional capacity for conflict prevention, management, resolution, post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding, based on Rwanda's experience in peacebuilding and by effectively using international best practices. Colonel (Rtd) Rutaremara appreciate the donors for their timely support to strengthen its capacity for high standard service delivery. “I wish therefore to thank most sincerely the Government of Japan and UNDP for their continued support not only in training but also in research as well as enhancement of the institutional capacity.” For UNDP, investing in peace building and conflict management and conflict prevention contribute to sustainable development and therefore to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Including increased domestic violence, violations of their rights, difficulty accessing health services, clean water, social protection and other basic services. To counter the pandemic’s effects on women’s economic prospects, UN Women Rwanda has been contributing to the implementation of a national socio-economic recovery plan to mitigate the disastrous effects of COVID-19 on households and especially women, the majority of whom work in the severely hit informal sector.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UN Women and its implementing partner New Faces New Voices (NFNV) have launched an initiative that aims to provide a small capital to women operating in cooperatives to get back on their feet after being negatively impacted by the pandemic. The amount provided varies between Rwf 500,000 (497 USD) and Rwf 1,000,000 (995 USD).    This activity is part of the Promoting the Leadership, Access, Empowerment and Protection of Women and Girls in COVID-19 crisis project, funded by the Government of Japan. On Wednesday 14 April 2021, the grants were officially handed over to the first beneficiaries who will now have the necessary capital to purchase raw materials and create new products to be sold on the market. The first women’s cooperatives to receive their grant were COREBU MPANDA in Muhanga district, KOAPABU in Ruhango district, COVAGA in Bugesera, AGASEKE VISION in the City of Kigali and INGORO IHUJE ABABYEYI in Huye district. The business activities of the cooperatives include Made in Rwanda handcraft, construction materials, sewing, shoemaking, cross-border trade and agriculture. The cooperatives have committed to increasing the production of competitive products but raised a concern about access to markets. As a result, NFNV and UN Women have promised to support them in securing new market opportunities. They have been advised to produce high quality and innovative products in order to be competitive. With this support, the beneficiaries should be able to reach a wide range of buyers and recover from the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic. The initiative will have a direct impact on more than 1,000 members of the cooperatives who will be economically empowered, and able to support their families and invest in their communities. To monitor and evaluate the impact of the grants, quarterly progress reviews will be done by NFNV to track the cooperatives’ recovery journeys. This initiative complements the business clinics started by UN Women in April 2020 in collaboration with the Rwanda Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs and in January 2021 with Inkomoko business development Ltd. with the objective of strengthening the capacity of women-led businesses so that they can remain viable during the economic slowdown caused by COVID-19 in and outside Kigali City.    

Like KISS FM, to edutain Rwandans about the novel Coronavirus and address rumors, and misconceptions about the virus and its vaccines. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a widespread impact not just in Rwanda but across the world. Businesses have shut down, the economy has faltered, lives have been lost, jobs forfeited, and the social fabric that has long held societies together has been stretched to breaking point. Despite all the challenges, Rwandans held steady and remained resilient in the face of the pandemic. The Government of Rwanda formulated a social protection plan for the delivery of free food to at least 20,000 of the most vulnerable households in the capital Kigali at the height of the first lockdown in April last year. While health and social protection considerations often take center stage during a pandemic, it is equally important to communicate risks and engage with communities in a responsible way that protects people’s health. That’s why among other inventions, UNICEF has partnered with one of the most popular FM stations in Rwanda called KISS FM, which reaches nearly 3 million listeners every day through its programmes, according to a survey of radio audiences conducted by the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA). The network is popular among young people who make up almost 70% of the Rwandan population. This group, especially students, also happens to be most at risk against COVID-19. Using programmes like ‘fact or fiction’, ‘conversations with experts’ and ‘street talks’, KISS FM’s hugely popular presenters including the soft-spoken Sandrine Isheja and the effervescent Arthur Nkusi take to the airwaves every day to engage with their listeners in a lively banter, making sure to educate their audiences on COVID-19 related  appropriate behaviours, while getting a laugh out of them.  Cyusa Ornella is a young woman who lives in Muhima, a suburb of Kigali City. She’s a regular listener of KISS FM programmes, especially the popular breakfast show and gospel music that is a staple on the station. She also listens to the fact or fiction radio show and the program has taught her a lot! “As young people, at times we are nonchalant about certain things. But thanks to the ‘Fact or Fiction show, I understand that I have a responsibility to protect myself and by extension protect others from Coronavirus by washing my hands regularly with soap and clean water, wear my mask whenever I’m out in public, and maintain physical distancing without having to be supervised or constantly reminded by the authorities” Ornella says. The programmes provide education and entertainment (edutainment) and something to look forward to for listeners in the form of gifts and rewards such as face and helmet masks, hand sanitizers, T-shirts, umbrellas and other practical items. “When my family comes home from work, I always insist that they wash their hands with soap and clean water before eating anything or even before relaxing in the house. It’s very important to me and practicing handwashing is a simple yet effective way to stay safe,” says Nicole Munezero. “I learnt this while listening to KISS FM’s breakfast show with Sandrine and Arthur. I’m glad KISS FM is bringing us these informative shows that not only increase our awareness about the deadly Coronavirus, but also enhance our lifestyles and imbue us with knowledge and practical life skills.” “From the same radio station, I heard something that I had never heard in my life, I heard that mental health is a health condition just like a headache, stomachache… I heard that if one is struggling with mental health, they can be treated." Nicole Munezero “From the same radio station, I heard something that I had never heard in my life, I heard that mental health is a health condition just like a headache, stomachache… I heard that if one is struggling with mental health, they can be treated. It requires one to speak up about their feelings. Long before this, I thought mental health issues should be kept a secret and one should seek traditional medicine or go to Ndera Hospital for treatment” (Caraes Ndera Neuropsychiatric Hospital is the leading referral hospital for psychiatry in Rwanda). Niyibizi Damascene (pictured above) is a street vendor in Kinyinya sector, which is one of the rural sectors of Kigali City. He sells popcorn for a living. He excitedly tells us that he participated in the Fact or Fiction quiz show and was one of the lucky listeners who won a bottle of hand sanitizer and face masks. “I was very happy to have won. The hand sanitizer and facemasks they gave me came in handy. Whenever someone comes to my stall either not wearing their masks properly or at times, not wearing it at all, I insist that they wear it, and ask them to sanitize their hands!” he says. “As part of my daily work as a street vendor, I encounter lots of people and I try to sensitize them to take COVID-19 seriously, and embrace the prevention measures as a part of their lives until this pandemic is overcome,” he adds. “I even got vaccinated recently, and if it weren’t for listening to KISS FM and being convinced that the vaccines are safe and effective, I probably wouldn’t have accepted to be vaccinated.” Niyibizi Damascene This partnership really matters because it continues to foster community engagement that is intrinsic to practicing a human rights-based approach to development and humanitarian action. “A program like this helps get the message to people using a language that they easily understand and relate to. Also, as a radio presenter a partnership like this one shapes our thinking and behavior, it makes us walk the talk; hence influence the people we live and meet with,” says Sandrine Isheja, whose melodious and calm tone has endeared her to the Rwandan radio audience and is the driving force behind the show. Her co-star Arthur Nkusi echoes these sentiments. “Me being an entertainer, it feels good to be part of a program that does both entertaining and educating. Our society needs information, and I was very happy to be the one to give it, says Arthur. “Thank you, UNICEF Rwanda, for trusting us with the responsibility of educating our society through this partnership”.    

In line with the ETM's goals to provide emergency protection to refugees, asylum-seekers, children-and-youth at risk, I was privileged to have contributed towards the achievement of the goals of the ETM in particular and UNHCR and partners in general. In that endeavour, I have daily interactions with refugees, case workers and other staff of UNHCR and partner organizations. Beyond executing my core task as an interpreter/translator, I believe my role helped me in building up a strong rapport which eventually made the evacuees feel well attended. The cultural connection I have makes the communication smooth in all aspects, and it also gives them courage to share their catastrophic life experiences and trauma without reservations, which is the first step towards a healing process and a journey to a descent life. My contribution is always sincerely appreciated by supervisors and colleagues for “displaying professionalism and trustworthiness” at work. For the whole process to be accomplished successfully, I play a vital role in creating conducive environment to encourage the evacuees to open up and cooperate throughout the entire process thereby contributing to the goals of UNHCR and partners in finding a durable solution for the evacuees. The greatest challenge I was experiencing is the horrifying stories of the evacuees I hear every day which I never thought one would experience in life, and it affected me psychologically at first, which I started overcoming with time. The biggest lesson that I have taken is, how resilient we are and there is nothing more satisfying than seeing a happy and smiling refugee by just being kind to them. Covid-19 is still another worldwide challenge, it was an obstacle for us at first, because face to face interaction is really important to read all the emotions  which makes it complete, we kept on processing our work remotely, but it was not satisfactory because there are some sensitive stories which really need physical presence to show them empathy as a human being, but with the situation getting better in Rwanda, we resumed the face to face interactions with due diligence to protection guidelines. It is priceless when I see my effort is making a difference in many lives of refugees and the fact that I can witness this with my own eyes is so heart-warming. Volunteering is all about giving back to individuals or communities, locally or internationally and positively impacting their lives and contributing towards achievement of global efforts by UNHCR. Volunteering helped me to expand my views on the status of refugees across the globe, and efforts by UNHCR and partners, enriched my circle of friends and colleagues and learned a lot from everyone at work. Bottom-line, volunteering helped me become a better person professionally, socially, and ethically!