The National Child Development Agency (NCDA) launched the first-ever Sector-Level Early Childhood Development Day, moving the celebration from the district to the grassroots. The event was organized in partnership with the European Union (EU) through the Tubakuze Project and was held at GS Nyinawimana School in Nyamiyaga Sector, Gicumbi District.

This event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of early childhood development and to foster active engagement among all stakeholders, including parents at the local level.

Among the dignitaries present were the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), Consolée Uwimana; the Director General of NCDA, Assumpta Ingabire; the EU Ambassador to Rwanda, Belen Calvo Uyarra; and local leaders, including Pascal Ngendahimana, the Executive Secretary of the Northern Province.

Prior to the celebrations, leaders visited ECD facilities to observe firsthand how families have embraced the model, where they joined parents in feeding children. They also attended the ECD activities exposition to assess the impact of these activities on the community and provided 215 water filters to Home based ECD facilities operating in Gicumbi Districts. 

DG Ingabire urged all parents to ensure their children aged 2 and above attend ECD facilities and to make sure they do not miss out on the holistic services provided there.

“We want to see higher attendance in ECD facilities. These facilities help children grow—physically, mentally, and emotionally. We want every Rwandan to understand their value,” said DG Assumpta Ingabire.

The Head of Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda, Ambassador Belen Calvo, commended Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening ECD service provision.

“We welcome the fact that the National Strategy for Transformation (NST-2) recognizes the importance of early childhood development (ECD). The first six years of life are critical for building human capital, supporting not only children but also equipping parents and caregivers with the tools they need to succeed” she said.

“This gathering represents our collective commitment to transforming the lives of Rwanda's youngest citizens and building a foundation for Rwanda's future prosperity,” she added.

Currently, over 1,156,590 children aged 3–6 are enrolled in more than 31,000 ECD facilities across Rwanda, representing 78% of all children in that age group.

But Rwanda’s vision doesn’t stop there. Minister Uwimana urged all actors to improve the provision of ECD services and expand them to all children across the country to support other interventions aimed at reducing stunting among children to below 15% by 2029, down from 33.1% in 2020, as part of the Government’s NST2 national strategy.

“To achieve that noble target, it is very important for everyone to integrate ECD into their long-term planning, whether at central government institutions, local government, in the private sector, or within our own families,” she said.

As the launch concluded, attendees left inspired and committed to working hand-in-hand to create a nurturing environment where every young child can thrive.