Northern Province, together with its development partners, has introduced a series of measures, including improving maternal health, identifying and supporting children suffering from malnutrition, and reaching families at risk, as part of a broader effort to eliminate child stunting in the region.
The measures were adopted during a recent consultative meeting that brought together local leaders and partners to discuss strategies to fight malnutrition and stunting among under five children.
The resolutions from the meeting have been shared with all districts and partners to ensure coordinated efforts in their implementation.
Key measures include intensified monitoring of pregnant women and children during the first 1,000 days of life through community health workers, adherence to medical advice, and early prevention of malnutrition.
Districts have also been tasked with conducting in-depth analyses of the specific causes of malnutrition and stunting in their areas and developing targeted interventions in collaboration with partners.
The meeting’s report emphasized the importance of using the December 2025 data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) on malnutrition and stunting to identify affected areas and design appropriate interventions.
In addition, the Province has committed to promoting behavioral change and hygiene practices at household level through increased awareness campaigns on balanced nutrition and sanitation.
The consultative meeting was organized in partnership with the Northern Province, the organization for human rights (Collectif des Ligues et Association de Défense des Droits de l’Homme au Rwanda: CLADHO), and World Vision Rwanda through the World Vision “Enough Campaign” to end child stunting.
Participants agreed to continue collaborating with various stakeholders, including youth volunteers, the National Women’s Council, community health workers, and Inshuti z’umuryango to identify families at risk of having children with malnutrition and stunting.
According to NISR data from December 2025, Gicumbi District has the highest rate of child stunting at 38.8%, followed by Burera at 37.6% and Musanze at 31.9%.
Rulindo stands at 27.9%, while Gakenke, which previously had a stunting rate of 65%, has successfully reduced it to 26%.
