There is a need to strengthen alliance building to better engage on different thematic advocacy issues from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the country’s legislative process.

This is according to a recent study published by the University of Kigali (UoK) Center for Economic Governance and Leadership to benchmark civil society participation in law-making. (Civil Society Participation in the Legislative Process: A Study Scrutinizing the Role of CSOs in the Law-Making Process, 2021).

The study commissioned by the University’s Centre for Economic Governance and Leadership (CEGL) with funding from the Rwanda Governance Board as well as the United Nations Development Programme, identifies the challenges facing both civil society and legislative institutions in the law-making process. It also looks at opportunities for CSO participation and makes recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of this process by highlighting the important role of CSOs in it.

According to the study, challenges identified include the lack of public information on the legislative agenda, making the possibility of public participation limited, an inadequate legal framework providing practical guidelines on how CSOs’ can engage effectively with the legislative process, a lack of awareness among CSOs about the opportunities, entry points and mechanisms for engaging with legislative processes also means that they cannot participate effectively.

"Many CSOs also do not have the necessary financial, human, and technical resources and struggle to generate evidence that could inform policy advocacy.”

Other challenges, the study added, include poor coordination and consultation mechanisms and self-censorship for CSOs.

Introductory remarks Idi Gaparayi at Validation Workshop.

On a positive note, however, the study found that there's ample space in Rwanda for meaningful and fruitful engagement between civil society, government and parliament.

"Instances of good practice in CSOs engagement include the revision of the Penal Code (2012-2018). These examples of good practices, however, appear to be ad hoc, sporadic, and at the discretion of the executive agency initiating the draft.”

In contrast, the study noted, in 2018, a modified law establishing taxes on income was promulgated, which introduced substantive reforms with implications on the day-to-day operations of the National Non-Governmental Organizations.

"CSOs were caught off-guard about the content of the modified law which introduced significant tax burdens on the operations of CSOs including taxing surplus income and facilitation fees (transport and communication allowances).”

Hence, the study recommends the enactment of enabling legislation to guide comprehensive, effective, and mandatory participation of CSOs and other relevant stakeholders in the legislative process.

Strengthened alliance in civil society

The study outlined key recommendations aimed at increasing civil society participation in the legislative process.

Specifically, the study recommends that civil society organizations should strengthen legal and policy advocacy initiatives in their programs.

"They should also strengthen their financial and technical expertise to engage more actively in policy, legal and advocacy interventions and also improve consultation, coordination and information sharing by umbrella organizations to their member organizations in line with pursuing policy/legal advocacy on issues pertinent to their member organizations.”

Other requirements include strengthening the civil society constituency base to increase their legitimacy as voices of their constituents rather than being perceived as advocates of their vested interests.

Similarly, the study highlighted that other stakeholders (development partners, academia, and media) should provide strategic funding to support CSOs’ work on advocacy on a long-term basis, including robust research to generate evidence to influence public policy and legislation.

In his remarks, Idi Gaparayi, Research Coordinator, said that there is a need for increased synergy and collaboration between CSOs and other interest groups (academia, media, professional bodies, etc.) in effectively engaging with the legislative process.

"The University of Kigali Centre for Economic Governance and Leadership hopes that the findings and recommendations from the study will be useful in improving the participation of stakeholders, and CSOs, in the legislative process in Rwanda.”

He asserted that an advocacy strategy has been elaborated to sustain the recommendations flowing from the study.

Access the full report HERE (PDF)

For additional information, contact cegl@uok.ac.rw.