Lidská práva

Pavla Gomba: One of the main contributions of the UNICEF is that we not only realize highly visible programmes, but we also negotiate with the local governments, which can often lead to a greater change than with many other projects. A shift in the government mechanisms can allow the programmes to cover all children. For example, school attendance rates double in places, where fees and uniforms are abandoned at elementary schools. In Rwanda, only men used to have inheritance rights, which meant that after the genocide half of all orphans (the girls) had lost not only their families but also their hourse, fields etc. We managed to push through the local government a change in legislation so the properties were returned to those girls retrospectively. Originally the wealth would have gone to the state or relatives, who are not always understanding and nice.