Kigali, 16 September 2022: Under the coordination of NCD, UNICEF and PSF Rwanda, CEOs met in Kigali to discuss how to improve the lives of young children in Rwanda by implementing family and child friendly policies at their workplaces and using their influence and resources to make a difference in communities.

In her remarks, The NCD Director General, Ms. Nadine Umutoni Gatsinzi said that investing in families and children is one of the smartest investments a country can make in partnership with private sector to break the cycle of poverty, address inequality and boost productivity later in life of its citizens.

She further commended the role so far played by private sector companies where she cited the examples of ECD settings in tea and rice plantations, in mining sites and markets as well as the establishment of breastfeeding rooms at workplace in business places including the BRD among other companies.

” Family-friendly policies help give parents and caregivers opportunities to balance work and home life to provide financial resources for their families as they bond with and care for their little ones. The corporate responsibility is also one way to support the country in policies implementation, thank the community for their support and cooperation in our businesses success”, she added.  

Giving the practical success story of BRD, The CEO Sayinzoga Kampeta spoke about how implementing child-friendly policies at the workplace in a meaningful way improves the wellbeing of staff, in particular working mothers and their children, which in turn leads to enhanced productivity.

While speaking at the event, the CEO of PSF, Mr. Stephens Ruzibiza challenged participants to ensure their corporate social responsibility offers shared value in order to create social impact whilst still meeting the company’s business objectives.

The Representative of SATO-Rwanda, Mr. Cyrus Ntaganira gave a presentation about sanitation and hygiene products like the SATO toilet pans and SATO taps that are having a massive impact on the Rwandan community.

The NCD takes the opportunity to appreciate all members of the CEO Forum for Children, for their commitments and commendable achievements so far made in advocacy, outreach and policy implementation in their workspaces.