Monitoring Social Protection Programs

PRO-FEMMES/TWESE HAMWE IS CHANGING LIVES OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN MUHANGA AND NYAMASHEKE DISTRICTS

Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme (VUP) remains an integrated local development program to accelerate poverty eradication, rural growth, and social protection. This initiative is run by the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, in collaboration with development partners and NGOs. The Program uses existing decentralization system to leverage technical and financial assistances to accelerate poverty reduction in Rwanda, and the aim remains to eradicate extreme poverty.

To address challenges of accountability, mismanagement of resources, scattered resources and lack of capacities which limit achieving expected results, the cabinet resolution of 13th November 2016 adopted an establishment of a joint program between Government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to enhance efficiency, and increase the service delivery mechanisms and accountability through stakeholders’ engagement.

It’s in that framework, Pro-Femmes/ TweseHamwe has committed to supporting government in boosting the lives of vulnerable people through monitoring the implementation of Vision UmurengeProgramme.

Pro-Femmes/TweseHamwe, an umbrella of civil society organizations spearheading the liberation of Rwandan women and girls from gender inequality and advocating for improvement of the socio-economic status of women while promoting the culture of peace for sustainable development is collaborating with other institutions to implement VUP and GIRINKA Programs in the districts of Muhanga and Nyamasheke.

An overall goal of this partnership program implementation is to build a social protection system that tackles poverty and inequality, enables the poor to move out of poverty, helps to reduce vulnerability and protect people from shocks.It also helps to improve health and education among all Rwandans and contributes to economic growth.

The partnership program is precisely being implemented in Shangi, Nyabitekeri, Karengera, Bushenge and Cyato Sectors of Nyamasheke district ; and Nyarusange and Nyamabuye sectors of Muhanga district.

Through this partnership Pro-Femmes/TweseHamwe ensured timely payments of VUP support to 1851 targeted beneficiaries, and the payment was channeled through the SACCOs on time.

Also, 1204 beneficiaries were mobilized on disease prevention through early diagnosis, and use of medical facilities and on the establishment of kitchen gardens as another way of promoting health and food security.

In addition, Pro-Femmes/Twese sensitized 4770beneficiaries through community meetings, to invest in income generating activities (Off farm and productive activities), adherence to Mutuelle de Sante, VUP guidelines and home-grown solutions as a way to end extreme poverty. Beneficiaries are also trained in rights to complain and managed to express their appeals all of which were addressed at 100%.

Among the challenges identified includes delay in payments, and this may decrease the number of participants engaged in public works, activities left incomplete due to budget shrinking.

There is always a small number of women, elderly and disabled people participating to the community events and meetings, and this keeps them ignorant of their rights and responsibilities regarding engagement in Government programs.

To find solutions to issues, concerned institutions are requested to remove all the barriers to proper services, and as a result, VUP and social protection services are improving because of involving CSOs in monitoring processes and holding accountable different concerned institutions to effectively implement VIUP services.

Vision 2020 UmurengeProgramme (VUP) remains an integrated local development program to accelerate poverty eradication, rural growth, and social protection.
The Program uses existing decentralization system to leverage technical and financial assistances to accelerate poverty reduction in Rwanda, and the aim remains to eradicate extreme poverty.

It’s therefore very impactful to involve civil society organizations in monitoring service provision to ensure vulnerable people are graduating from extreme poverty thanks to social protection support.