Civil society in anti-poverty drive

Over ten civil society organisations (CSOs) on Thursday officially launched a network aimed at supplementing government efforts to economically empower the poor.The network, which has been operational for about a year, mainly focuses on poverty eradication interventions.The network comprises Action Aid, the Rwanda Civil Society Platform, Duterembere, Rwanda Development Organisation (RDO), Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) and the Umbrella Organisation of Rwandan Local NGO`s in Development (CCOAIB).Others are CLADHO, an umbrella body of Rwanda human rights organisations, OXFAM and the Association of Youth for Human Rights and Development (AJPRODHO-JIJUKIRWA).“Considering the level that the government and development partners have so far achieved in fighting poverty, there is need to further ensure that the 44.9 percent of the population still under poverty can come out of it,” said Vincent Sinduhunga, the Coordinator of the network.He pointed out that while many initiatives had been mooted to alleviate poverty, no information is relayed to guide the population to benefit from them.Sinduhunga pointed out that as development partners, government and CSO`s have the responsibility of making the population to capitalise on all the initiatives.“The opportunities created, for example, funds that the government has come up with to support young entrepreneurs and women will only be of importance if people really get access to them,” he said.Sinduhunga added that there is need to educate the population on various issues, citing proper utilisation of funds to start income generating activities.Speaking during the launch, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, Julienne Munyaneza, said the network will not only link CSO`s, but also bring about checks on the effectiveness of government programmes.“This partnership or network is a great step towards achieving government target especially in reducing or fighting poverty,” she said.She promised her ministry’s support to the network to ensure that it achieves its mission.

National

Civil society in anti-poverty drive