On Tuesday 16 June 2015, Rwanda joined the continent in celebrating the African Child Day. Held under the theme “Accelerating our common efforts for Early Childhood Development in Rwanda”, the event brought together dozens of stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as international partners.
Rwanda has embarked on a drive that seeks to promote early childhood development. This is in a bid to improve a child’s chances of survival and lead to optimal growth and development. Rwanda has – through EDPRII – invested in the early years of a child as a priority for both the government and its partners in health. Rwanda has chosen to base its future on human capital.
Early Child Development Policy (ECD) and Strategic Plan will ensure that all Rwandan children have access to integrated health, nutritional, early stimulation and learning.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Oda Gasinzigwa stressed that the Government of Rwanda recognises ECD as a vital foundation for addressing the needs of Rwandan children:
“Their rights are the bedrock for a sustainable future. We have to always ensure that ECD is reflected in all our plans.”
She further added that ECD will not only give young children the best possible start in life but also the best investment that Rwanda can make in order to achieve its national goals.
Early childhood development, defined as the period from birth up to eight years of age, is a critical window of opportunity for a child’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.
Rwanda’s achievements in health outcomes are linked to its increased health spending to six per cent of GDP, far beyond the average of two per cent in other sub-Saharan countries.
Rwanda has been ranked the best place to be a mother in the East African community, according to the annual scorecard released by Save the Children on 16 June this year.
The survey assesses the capacity of 179 countries worldwide based on five indicators related to maternal health, education, income levels and the status of women. The survey ranks Rwanda top in East Africa and 121st globally.
The newly released Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) reports that infant mortality rate has decreased to 32 deaths per 1000 live births in 2014/2015 down from 109 in 2000.
Source: Gov.rw
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