Violence, neglect, exploitation, and abuse affect children in homes, families, schools, communities, and other places where children should feel safe

The challenge

Violence against children and young people is a fundamental violation of their rights. Sexual, physical, and emotional violence have a devastating impact on health and happiness and prevents children and youth from contributing to societies to their full potential.

In Rwanda, over half of all girls and six out of ten boys experience some form of violence during childhood. Children are usually abused by people they know – parents, neighbors, teachers, romantic partners, or friends. Only around 60 percent of girls in Rwanda who are victims of violence tell someone about it, and the rate is even lower for boys.

In many cases, children and young people do not seek help because they feel violence is their fault or is not a problem. Many also believe that women should tolerate violence, especially to keep the family together and that men should hold the power in sexual relationships.

Violence causes emotional scars that often last much longer after the physical scars fade.

When children are victims of violence, they are more likely to abuse other children and carry this violent behavior into adulthood. Violence during childhood can also lead to mental distress, early pregnancy, sexual risk-taking, and even thoughts of suicide.

Urgent action is needed to respond to the violence inflicted on children and young people.

The solution

The child protection system in Rwanda is still emerging. The number of children in need continues to exceed the system’s ability to care for them.

UNICEF has helped the Government of Rwanda make several important improvements in recent years:

• Establishment of 44 “One-Stop Centres”, where victims can report violence, receive mental health counseling, and access medical services.
• Building a workforce of professional social workers and psychologists, legal experts, police, and almost 30,000 community child protection volunteers known as “Inshuti z’Umuryango” or “Friends of the Family”.  These “Friends of the Family” help identify, refer and respond to cases of violence, abuse, and neglect in their communities.
• Finding loving family homes for around 3,000 children who previously lived in orphanages and other institutions.
• Development of the Justice for Children Policy in 2013 and the Justice for Children guidance in 2017.

In Rwanda, UNICEF focuses on strengthening the national child protection system alongside the Government. We envision a child protection system that can help prevent and respond to violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect.