CRC/C/RWA/CO/3-4
(d)
Pay specific attention to children heading their own households, by, inter
alia, collecting reliable and up-to-date data on the specific challenges they face to
guide the formulation of appropriate policies to address their needs including their
access to education, health care, counselling and community-based services. The
Committee also recommends that the State party design comprehensive programmes
to meet the psychosocial needs of child-headed households.
Children deprived of a family environment
38.
The Committee notes as positive the launching of the National Strategy for
Childcare Reform in 2012 and that the State party is in the process of developing
ministerial instructions governing the placement of children into foster care. However, in
the meantime, the Committee is concerned that the time frame for the full implementation
of the National Strategy is short and that the number and locations of service providers are
very limited. The Committee is further concerned that there are cases of “spontaneous
reintegration” of children without adequate preparation or proper assessment, monitoring
and follow-up.
39.
The Committee is concerned about the overreliance on NGOs for the provision of
institutional care for children deprived of a family environment and the limited availability
of community-based services for children living with disabilities, children living in street
situations and those separated from their families and/or placed into institutions.
40.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Review the National Strategy for Childcare Reform, with a view to
expanding the time frame for its implementation, introduce monitoring mechanisms
with clear indicators to measure the outcomes and provide follow-up procedures. The
Committee further recommends that the State party increase the number of
professionals working with or for children and provide them adequate training and
vocational training and supervision;
(b)
Intensify its efforts to provide appropriate care and assistance to all
children deprived of a family environment and those living in vulnerable situations,
through the provision of education, health care, counselling and community-based
services with timely responses at the local level; and
(c)
Expedite the adoption of ministerial instructions governing the
placement of children into foster care.
Adoption
41.
The Committee notes with concern that despite the ratification of the Hague
Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry
Adoption, the State party has not yet adopted implementing regulations for the law or
established necessary structures and mechanisms to implement the Hague Convention. The
Committee further notes with concern that there is no provision on post-adoption and
follow-up services.
42.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Intensify its efforts to adopt comprehensive legislation and effective
mechanisms to ensure compliance with the Convention and the Hague Convention on
Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption;
(b)
Set up an appropriate system for the selection and preparation of future
adoptive parents as well as post-adoptive services for children and their families in
need;
10