Rwanda : Elections of children committees begin
Zaina Nyiramatama
The exercise to elect children representatives around the country started this Thursday August 16.
Children are electing their own representatives as a way of giving them an active participation role in the development programmes of the country.
The elections are being conducted by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion in partnership with the National Commission for Children, the National Electoral Commission and Districts.
The elections come following the establishment of children forums in 2004 from the village to the District level. All children aged between 6 and 17 years are members of these forums.
According to the guidelines establishing children forums, it is comprised of a General Assembly and an Executive Committee. At least 30% of members of the executive committee must be female and the committee must include at least a child with disabilities.
The term of the executive committee is three years non renewable and eligible candidates should be aged between 6 and 15 years old.
According to the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Children Zaina Nyiramatama, the forums were established to enable children voice their opinions on matters concerning them and contribute to the national development.
Children representatives who are elected at the sector and district levels will participate in the Annual National Children Summit to be held early December this year.
