† Determined by national law or regulation as hazardous and, as such, relevant to Article 3(d) of ILO C. 182.
‡ Child labor understood as the worst forms of child labor per se under Article 3(a)–(c) of ILO C. 182.

Reports indicate that the Government of Rwanda provided material support to and coordinated with the March 23 Movement (M23), an armed group that recruited or used child soldiers in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Additional reports further indicate that the Rwandan army has deployed troops to DRC to provide direct military support to M23 as they expand their control over Rutshuru and neighboring Masisi territories.

Children at Higher Risk

Research found that children living in mining communities often drop out of school and work in abandoned artisanal mines with their parents. Additionally, homeless and orphaned children, children with disabilities, and girls are at particular risk of being exploited in human trafficking.

Barriers to Education Access

Although the Ministry of Education established a policy that provides free basic education for 12 years, of which the first 9 are compulsory, in practice, the cost of uniforms, school supplies, and unofficial school fees may preclude some families from sending their children to school. The law also establishes English as the primary language of instruction, which may create a barrier to education for children whose first language is not English. Furthermore, children with disabilities face particular difficulties accessing education and reports indicate that many are likely to not attend school or to drop-out because schools lack the capacity to accommodate special needs.

* Country has no conscription

While Rwanda has adopted policies to implement 12 years of fee-free basic education and compulsory education through age 15, the 2020 Law Determining the Organization of Education stipulates that primary education is free and compulsory only through the first 6 years of schooling and states that education is compulsory only up to age 12. The law also establishes English as the primary language of instruction, which may create a barrier to education for children whose first language is not English. Furthermore, the age up to which education is compulsory makes children between ages 12 and 15 vulnerable to child labor because they are not legally required to attend school but are not legally permitted to work.

Data on the number of labor inspectors, the number of worksite inspections conducted, and whether child labor violations were found in 2023 are unknown. It is also unknown whether investigations into suspected cases of the worst forms of child labor were conducted, prosecutions initiated, or perpetrators convicted.

* Policy published during the reporting period.
‡ The government had other policies that may have addressed child labor issues or had an impact on child labor.

For information about USDOL’s projects to address child labor around the world, visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/ilab-project-page-search
† Program is funded by the Government of Rwanda.
‡ The government had other social programs that may have included the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor.

Download the 2023 Bibliography