Deadline: 19-Dec-2025
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is supporting initiatives in southern Rwanda aimed at strengthening child protection and addressing gender-based violence.
These programmes focus on safeguarding vulnerable populations, including children at heightened risk and survivors of gender-based violence, through comprehensive, multi-sectoral approaches that combine direct services with community engagement.
In the area of child protection, efforts are focused on ensuring that children, especially unaccompanied and separated children, are supported through structured case management and the Best Interests Procedure. Community-based protection mechanisms are being strengthened, encouraging the active participation of children in decision-making processes. Access to alternative care arrangements, family tracing, and reunification services is expanded to guarantee the well-being and rights of children. Additionally, caregivers, child protection actors, and community members are trained to prevent and respond to risks effectively, ensuring that protective measures are sustainable and inclusive.
Parallel efforts address gender-based violence by providing timely, survivor-centered support and protection services. The programme emphasizes empowerment, with women and girls actively co-leading prevention initiatives in their communities. Survivors have access to safe shelters, legal aid, psychosocial support, and cash-for-protection services. Training and coordination among stakeholders ensure the capacity to deliver effective prevention and response services, while community-level interventions aim to shift societal attitudes toward violence against women and girls.
Through these integrated interventions, UNHCR partners aim to track tangible outcomes, including the proportion of children benefiting from community-based programmes, survivors satisfied with GBV case management, and the number of community members trained in child protection and GBV prevention. By adhering to international protection standards and fostering collaboration across sectors, these programmes work to create a safer and more equitable environment for displaced and stateless persons in southern Rwanda.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.