The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) launched awareness campaign to promote the understanding and implementation the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Maputo Protocol—the African Charter’s protocol on the rights of women.

The campaign, which run from June 3 to June 6, 2025, was carried out in six selected districts; Kirehe, Nyagatare, Rutsiro, Burera, Nyaruguru, and Nyabihu.).

This initiative is in line with the Commission’s legal mandate under Law No. 19/2013, as amended by Law No. 61/2018, particularly Article 5 (10), which entrusts the NCHR with the responsibility to educate and raise public awareness on human rights.

The campaign aimed at educating, promoting and engaging various categories of local actors who play a key role in protecting and promoting women’s rights, preventing gender-based discrimination, and resolving family disputes.

NCHR mobilized key community actors, including Friends of the Family locally known as Inshuti z’Umuryango, women and youth council members, local governance and development officers, faith leaders, parasocial workers, and NCHR’s volunteers known as ODE ( Observatoires des Droits des enfants) at cell and sector level.

During this awareness campaign, the Commission attended also Community Assemblies ( Inteko z’abaturage), where outreach teams spoke directly to the public about women's rights and the obligations of the state under international human rights frameworks.

According to the Commission, this campaign has been expected to lead to greater awareness and understanding of women’s rights among local influencers and leaders, improved respect and protection of women’s rights at the community level, and A reduction in domestic and family conflicts, contributing to more peaceful and stable households.

By targeting grassroots actors and community influencers, the NCHR aims to foster local ownership of international women’s rights standards and ensure their practical implementation.

In addition to community dialogues, the campaign included the training of NCHR volunteers (ODEs) in Rutsiro District to strengthen their capacity in human rights education and community engagement.