The Rwanda Interfaith Council on Health (RICH), a local religious non-profit organization, has donated Rwf2.4 million to 20 teen mothers in Cyanzarwe sector, Rubavu District, as part of its contribution to the national Gender Based Violence prevention and response effort.

The support was given to victims of sexual violence who are now teen mothers. One of the religious organization’s objectives is supporting efforts in social reintegration of GBV victims in their communities.

The Rwanda Interfaith Council on Health has been implementing such projects in the six districts of Huye, Ruhango, Muhanga, Kamonyi in Southern Province in addition to Nyabihu and Rubavu districts in Western Province under the Scottish Government fund.

According to the RICH’s Head of Programs, Eraste Ntihemuka, the project has significantly impacted the beneficiaries as they used to live in trauma and other post-violence issues.

"Previously, our beneficiaries were living in despair, post- violence trauma, some rejected by their families, unable to provide for themselves and their kids but now things have changed as there is hope for their future, reintegrated in community as well as good relationship with parents. They are now earning money,” said Ntihemuka.

The event of providing financial support, which took place on International Women’s Day which was celebrated March 8 under the theme: "DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality,” comes following a six-month training given to them in hairdressing and tailoring.

Some 25 other teen mothers were previously supported with similar courses and toolkits and other 42 were supported to do various small businesses. All come from different parts of Rubavu District.

"We are happy for RICH having provided this fund to us for changing our livelihood. We are going to buy tools for the implementation of the six-months training, thanks to the organization,” one of the victims, who the organization preferred to remain unnamed, said.

Through empowering Gender Based Violence (GBV) victims for economic resilience and reduction of GBV incidence, similar support has been given to 120 victims within the six districts with 20 beneficiaries per each.

About RICH

The Rwanda Interfaith Council on Health (RICH) was established in 2003 under the name ‘Rwanda Network of Religious Organizations against HIV/AIDS (RCLS)’ as a non-profit making organization to fight HIV and AIDS by ensuring effective coordination of FBOs interventions for the response to HIV/AIDS in Rwanda.

Although the network was initiated for HIV, it is now involved in other health issues such as family planning, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and infant health, malaria, tuberculosis, nutrition, hygiene, and non-communicable diseases. The change is due to the expansion of scope of work from the HIV response that was the initial mission to the Health Promotion in general.