Community member participate in a dialogue with their local officials.

USAID/Rwanda

Rwanda has made remarkable progress in developing its governance structures, maintaining security, promoting reconciliation and strengthening the justice system. Despite this progress, significant challenges in democracy, human rights and governance remain. USAID’s democracy and governance program in Rwanda builds on past progress to deepen ongoing reconciliation efforts across the country, strengthen civil society, address human trafficking concerns, create meaningful opportunities for civic engagement, improve rule of law, empower Rwanda’s burgeoning youth population, and professionalize the media sector.

To achieve this, USAID engages with government officials, civil society organizations (CSOs), media, universities, and individuals to strengthen the capacity of CSOs to advocate on behalf of their constituents; strengthen government policy-making, planning and budgeting; and improve the rule of law. These activities focus on enabling civil society to promote stronger civic engagement in government decision-making, training officials to better combat human trafficking, improving administrative justice, training journalists, empowering women to understand their rights, and promoting reconciliation at the community level between victims and perpetrators of the genocide. USAID also works with youth to increase their sensitivities and awareness of issues facing vulnerable groups to become human rights champions within their communities.