Rwanda joined the rest of the world in marking the International Day of Persons with Dwarfism on Thursday, October 29, with activitss calling for greater inclusion. The event, organised by the Rwanda Union of Little People (RULP), highlighted progress made in promoting the rights of people with dwarfism, as well as challenges that still need to be addressed. This year’s theme, “Supporting all of us for each of us,” aims to remind people that building an inclusive society without discrimination is everyone’s responsibility. ALSO READ: Tuyishimire on life struggles as a dwarf Established in 2015, RULP initially operated in Gasabo district but has since expanded to nine districts. The union, which has 470 members, said progress has been made in ensuring people with dwarfism access their rights as members of the society. According to the union, 25 members have completed university education, including two who have earned master’s degrees. Seventeen members have formal employment, while 49 are self-employed. Another 21 are currently pursuing university education. The union said these achievements represent significant progress from its early days, when only one member had reached university. However, people with dwarfism continue to face challenges, including discrimination, harassment, limited support and barriers to accessing education, healthcare, employment and financial services. Education remains a challenge Honorine Tuyishimire, executive director of RULP, said many people with dwarfism have yet to access education, while others drop out because of difficulties they encounter at school. “We still have a large number of people who have not gone to school. We also have many who enrol but drop out because of the challenges they face,” she said. Tuyishimire explained that school furniture is often unsuitable for learners with dwarfism, making it difficult for them to sit comfortably for extended periods. “For instance, some children cannot sit comfortably because their feet do not reach the floor. They need support for their legs, but the available furniture does not always accommodate them. After sitting for about an hour, a child may begin to feel tired, making them uncomfortable at school,” she said. ALSO READ: What is being done to improve access to inclusive education? She added that such difficulties can contribute to school dropout. Learners with dwarfism also face challenges taking notes during classes. According to Tuyishimire, some write more slowly than their classmates. As a result, some are left without complete notes, putting them at a disadvantage in their studies. She said improving access to education is essential because it provides people with the knowledge and skills needed to develop themselves and participate fully in society. Limited access to healthcare People with dwarfism also encounter barriers when accessing healthcare, particularly maternity services. Tuyishimire said only four hospitals currently have delivery beds suitable for women with dwarfism, limiting their options when seeking maternal healthcare. She also pointed to challenges at hospital service windows, where the height of the counters can make communication difficult between people with dwarfism and healthcare workers. She said such barriers show the need for healthcare facilities to improve accessibility and ensure that services accommodate everyone. Employment and financial barriers Despite the progress made in education, some people with dwarfism who hold degrees remain unemployed. Tuyishimire attributed part of the problem to misconceptions among some employers, who may doubt whether people with dwarfism are capable of performing professional duties and contributing to institutional development. She said similar attitudes affect access to financial services. According to her, people with dwarfism seeking loans are often required to provide guarantors, presenting another barrier to accessing financial support. Bushira Uwamahoro, a woman with dwarfism, said society continues to judge people with dwarfism based on their physical condition rather than their abilities. She said people should be given opportunities to demonstrate what they can do instead of being dismissed because of their disability. Social media David Gacamumakuba said people with dwarfism are sometimes filmed in public places, including markets, where individuals approach them with phones and record them for online views. Gacamumakuba explained that such experiences can make people reluctant to return to places where they were previously filmed because they fear being recorded again. He also cited cases in which people with dwarfism are photographed and mocked on social media, including when someone proposes for marriage. He described such behaviour as unacceptable and called for campaigns to educate social media users on responsible online conduct and respect for people with disabilities. Calls for greater inclusion Justine Mukobwa, Executive Secretary of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), welcomed the progress made in promoting the inclusion of people with dwarfism, noting that Rwanda is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind. However, she said discrimination and harassment, particularly on social media, remain challenges that need to be addressed. “Discrimination is against the law, and we want to remind society of that. The government has stood against it, and we will intensify our efforts to eradicate it,” she said.
