From September 27th to 29th, Medical Doctors For Choice (MDFC) participated in a three-day training on monitoring decentralization progress in Rwanda. This training, organized by Never Again Rwanda (NAR), was part of the ‘Indi Ntambwe mu Kwiyubakira Igihugu’ (INKI) Project. The primary aim was to equip Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively engage in Rwanda’s decentralization efforts, ensuring that governance becomes more participatory and efficient.
The key objectives of the training included improving social accountability, enhancing governance efficiency, and fostering economic development by promoting active community participation and resource distribution. Rwanda’s decentralization policy, revised in 2021, seeks to empower local governments, bringing services closer to the people while enhancing citizen engagement. The training highlighted the critical role CSOs play in supporting these goals, such as advocating for marginalized groups, cooperating with the government on national transformation strategies, and monitoring local government operations.
Throughout the training, discussions focused on the challenges of decentralization, including financial limitations, resistance to change, and the need for capacity building among local government staff. Participants were encouraged to adopt decentralized approaches in their own organizations, promoting staff engagement and accountability at all levels. Additionally, the importance of digital tools and social media for advocacy and community engagement was emphasized.
The training concluded with a call for CSOs to monitor the implementation of key policies, such as the 2024 Prime Minister’s Order (PMO) and Article 13 of the 2024 law regulating NGOs, which grants CSOs a legal mandate to partner with the government. MDFC remains committed to applying the insights gained from this training to enhance its participation in Rwanda’s decentralization processes, ensuring that community voices are heard and that local governance is more inclusive and transparent.
