The Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion through National Early Childhood Development Program and the Ministry of health through Rwanda Biomedical Center have launched the dissemination of the National Social Behavior Change Communication Strategy 2018-2024.

This strategy aims at improving knowledge, attitude and practices at community and household levels in order to promote, early child development, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

The strategy was launched in a workshop and it resulted from efforts of various institutions namely; the Ministry of health, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, UNICEF Rwanda, The NECD, the National Early Childhood Development Program, and other partners including social cluster ministries.

While addressing the participants to the workshop, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, Mrs. Umutoni Nadine, emphasised the importance of this strategy to the population.

“It will contribute to building capacity among parents, families, raise awareness among communities, guide authorities and strengthen all social services that support early child development while improving nutrition and WASH best practices.”

 Mrs. Umutoni said the strategy will reach its goals if communication is done effectively by all the stakeholders.

“If we communicate well, we will be contributing to better implementation of other interventions and I insist on the close collaboration of all stakeholders by integrating ECD services in existing interventions.” She Said.

 Dr. Anita Asiimwe, the NECDP coordinator thanked all those who tirelessly worked on the strategy and urged all the stakeholders to unite their efforts to implement it.

“I’m excited that we are here today to disseminate the Social behavior communication strategy on various interventions. This will ensure that the children of Rwanda benefit from all available services at an early age.” Said Dr. Asiimwe.

This strategy seeks to address key determinants related to early child development, malnutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) mostly related to knowledge, attitude, and practice at community and individual levels.