Rwanda 
May 2021-April 2024
Funding Partner: Comic Relief 
Local Partner: Empowering Children with disabilities & MindLeaps

Why is the project needed? 

D/deaf girls in Rwanda face significant barriers to inclusion, participation, and protection due to discriminatory attitudes and limited access to support services. They are often excluded from decision-making processes and are more vulnerable to violence and abuse. This project addresses these issues by empowering D/deaf girls, engaging the community in positive change, and strengthening institutional systems to provide better safeguarding and protection.

About the Project

The Natwe Turashoboye (We Can Also) project aims to improve the inclusion, participation, and protection of D/deaf girls in Rwanda at three levels:

Institutional Level: By strengthening safeguarding processes, the project ensures greater protection and access to services for D/deaf girls.

Individual Level: Through activities like dance therapy, safe spaces, and building confidence, the project empowers D/deaf girls to participate in local decision-making.

Community Level: The project works to change harmful community attitudes that perpetuate exclusion and violence against D/deaf girls.

Goals and Objectives

• Empower D/deaf Girls: Improve the confidence, self-esteem, and leadership skills of D/deaf girls so they can actively participate in local decision-making.
• Foster Positive Community Change: Encourage attitudinal and behavioural change within the community to reduce stigma and discrimination against D/deaf girls.
• Strengthen Safeguarding Systems: Improve the capacity of institutions and service providers to protect D/deaf girls and ensure they have access to the support they need.

Our impact

Empowering D/deaf Girls: We are working with 33 D/deaf girls and young women, along with 33 of their hearing peers, to build confidence and agency through inclusive dance therapy and other activities. An additional 30 D/deaf and 30 hearing boys are participating in separate sessions.

Community Change: We are engaging over 200 teachers, district officials, parents, and community leaders to challenge discriminatory norms and promote the inclusion of D/deaf girls. This outreach has already reached 5,000 students through school assemblies.

Strengthened Safeguarding Systems: By training 36 frontline workers, including community health workers, legal representatives, and service providers, we are building institutional capacity to protect D/deaf girls from violence and ensure their rights are upheld.