NPA in Rwanda

NPA began its work in Rwanda after the Genocide in 1994. Initially, NPA was involved as an implementing partner in the health sector and in a judiciary project. In recent years the programme has been transformed into a rights-based approach programme working in partnership with local organisations.

NPA Rwanda is focussing on the following thematic areas:

• Violence against women, which aims to contribute to that women are able to participate in society without being subjected to violence.
• Youth and their right to participate, which aims to contribute to that young people, both boys and girls, are considered resources in their societies and are able to participate in decision-making processes.
• Land and resource rights, which aims to contribute to that rural oppressed people have secured rights and equitable access to land and other productive resources, and are practising economically and ecologically sound resource management.

The immediate objective is to:

• Activate disadvantaged people (specifically women, youth and the rural poor) and contribute towards the realisation of their rights'
• Contribute towards the ongoing processes of democratisation and reconciliation
• Improve confidence in the rule of law
• Strengthen the role of civil society in the development process

NPA has the following partners:

• Association for Development and Social Transformation (ADTS asbl) – a non-profit making association focussing on social transformation through trainings
• Association Catholique pour la promotion de la famille (ACPF) – a Catholic association for the promotion of families.
• Association pour la promotion de la femme et de l’enfant (APROFER) – a local organisation (in Kibuye) with focus on genocide widows and orphans.
• Reseau de s Femmes – an organisation promoting women’s development.
• Seruka ASBL – a women’s development organisation.
• Tubibe Amahoro – a local organisation (in Kibuye) focusing on conflict resolution and peace building.
• Association de guides du Rwanda (AGR) – scout organisation.
• Association de la jeunesse pour la promotion des droit de l’homme (AJPRODHO) – a youth organisation for human rights and development.
• Never Again Rwanda Chapter – a youth organisation for genocide prevention.
• Students’ Clubs for Unity and Reconciliation Forum (SCUR- Forum) – an umbrella organisation for student clubs on unity and reconcilliation.
• Youth Employment Summit in Rwanda (YES Rwanda) – a new organisation on youth employment in Rwanda.
• LandNet – a network of local and international NGOs, academics, professionals and the Ministry of Lands with an interest in land issues.
• Prosecutor General with local offices in the western, northern and the eastern provinces. The Supreme Court with local offices in the western, northern and the eastern provinces.
• The Co-existence network: Is a forum for informal discussion and information exchange bringing together various members of the Rwandan society. The aim is to create a culture of constructive dialogue between the different components of the society with the purpose to contribute to a reconstruction and consolidation of a peaceful culture of tolerance, dialogue and listening. NPA has been a member of Co-existence network and the coordination committee for several years. Since early 2004 NPA has been hosting the network within NPA premises. As a host NPA has been providing administrative and technical support.