Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police has reminded residents of Kigabiro sector in Rwamagana District of the effects of child labour and that anyone found employing a child would be punished by the laws.

The call was made by Rwamagana vice mayor in charge of social affairs, Jeanne Umutoni along with the officer in charge of gender affairs, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Ephigenie Uwantege during a meeting held on June 12 and brought together over 500 residents.

In her address to the residents, Umutoni outlined effects of child labour saying that, “Any child who is subjected to forced labour is risking dropping out of schools, exhaustion and malnutrition, long-term health problems, pesticide poisoning, physical injuries and psychological damages among many others.”

In her address to the residents, AIP Uwantege said; “There are clear laws against child labor and several campaigns have been conducted in line with sensitizing the public against such child rights violations and everyone should be in position to understand that whoever exploits or deprives a child of their rights will face the wrath of the laws.”

“Parents should know they have the primary responsibility of ensuring children are not exploited or prematurely forced into labour,” she added.

Under no circumstance, she said, should a child be allowed into or near a mining concession, be involved in domestic chores and any other hard labour activities.

In June 1999, Rwanda became a signatory to the Convention of the International Labour Organization on prohibition and immediate elimination of worst forms of child labor.

The law relating to the rights and protection of the child states in its article 51 that, “all forms of economic exploitation of a child by requiring him or her to accomplish a work that is likely to put him or her at risk or to compromise his or her education or to harm his or her health, her physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development are prohibited and punishable by law.”

A child aged 16 years of age and below, is not allowed to be engaged in any income generating works.

The penal code punishes child labour with imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rwf500, 000.