The launching event that took place in Kigali was attended by government officials, partners and vice mayors in charge of social affairs.

Speaking at the event, the Director General for National Child Development Agency (NCDA), Ingabire Assumpta said that this is a timely tool that will facilitate all stakeholders in taking informed decisions.

“I would like to request all vice mayors to help mobilizing parents to take children into ECDs. With this ECD mapping, let’s continue collect data because it will help us taking informed decisions” she said.

For DG Ingabire, the Government of Rwanda has made strong commitment to make sure that every child regardless of where they are born have access to high quality early childhood development services. 

She said, access to comprehensive data on ECD is a game changer regarding to crafting policies and programs that prioritise the well-being of youngest citizens. 

“ECD mapping tool will help in ensuring coordinated data in the collection, sharing, gathering, analysis, interpretation and program planning and advocacy” she said.

Julianna Lindsey, UNICEF Country Representative to Rwanda hailed the step saying that will help during the implementation of National Strategic for Transformation (NST 2)

“What gets measured gets done and with ECD in NST2, I am sure Rwanda will meet their ECD targets for children” she said.

The ECD mapping tool was developed under the partnership between NCDA, UNICEF Rwanda and CRS-Gikuriro Kuri Bose Program.