Strengthening the Voices of the Voiceless in Rwanda

Date : January 2018 to May 2021
Main Project Partners : Funded by Amplify Change
Date Posted : June 25th, 2021

Summary : The Strengthening the Voices of the Voiceless in Rwanda project embraces the universal goals and vision for 2030. The project aims to (1) Educate, inform and strengthen pre-existing information of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) for young persons with disabilities(PWD) in Rwanda (2) Strengthening the high-quality information and material in SRHR services and policies for young PWD in an integrated context (3) Generate and gather data, and therefore evidence, about SRHR services and policies for young PWD in Rwanda for informative purposes. (4) Use evidence found to influence SRHR policies, law, and budget allocations. This program conducted the ‘Baseline Survey On Social Inclusion, Attitudes and Access to SRH Services For Persons With Disabilities (Here)’. The research, conducted in 15 districts, shed light on many of the issues faced by PWD such as mental health issues, lack of accessibility mobility, lack of proper communication about health issues, and lack of accessibility to feminine hygiene products.

UPHLS and AmplifyChange then used the survey results to create change for PWD ages 15 to 35 years, including those who are visually impaired, physical disabilities, the deaf community, the blind community, and the little people community. The project upgraded health centers with accessibility ramps, blind guides and equip healthcare workers with sign language skills to communicate with more communities. To help with the inclusivity of PWD, organizations were trained on the mainstream disability and radio communication was used to change civil society’s attitudes. Additionally, feminine hygiene products were donated to local schools. Furthermore, a gap analysis on the current stance of Rwanda’s government policies on PWD was conducted. The ‘National Coalition on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Disability (Here)’ was produced to lay out the needs, failures, and successes of the Rwandan government policy. This report was given to many organizations and government officials such as the Rwandan Ministry of Health and is used as an advocacy tool.

Future Plans : A 3-year continuation to analyze and correct the effects of the first phase. Moreover, the project aims to get young women access to hygiene products.

Contact for Further Information : infos@uphls.org