Scholastique Nyiramjyambere is a human rights defender with more than five years of experience in the field. Her professional expertise is rooted in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting, with a specific focus on Civil and Political rights, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Throughout her career, Ms. Nyiramjyambere has exhibited a commitment to safeguarding the rights of individuals and communities, while tirelessly advocating for justice and raising awareness of human rights violations. Her communication skills enable her to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, to listen attentively and to learn from others. Her self-motivation and maturity have proven key in her role as both a collaborative team player, consistently navigating complex situations with ease. With expertise in negotiation, advocacy, and mediation, Ms. Nyiramjyambere has successfully engaged stakeholders at various levels to drive positive change and advance human rights causes. She describes her core values as "freedom and respect."

IVLP Impact Award Project: Capacity Building for Leaders of Organizations of Socially Marginalized Groups in Rwanda for Effective Advocacy and Social Reintegration

This project provided training and support to leaders of socially marginalized groups in Rwanda, particularly with the Batwa and LGBTQI+ communities. By training 18 leaders from 8 organizations that represent socially discriminated Rwandans, this project empowered communities with the knowledge and skills necessary to advocate effectively for their rights and promote social reintegration. By fostering greater awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by the Batwa and LGBTQI+ communities, the project built bridges of empathy and solidarity between different segments of Rwandan society. Furthermore, the project engaged with government officials, community leaders and key stakeholders to promote awareness and sensitivity to the issues faced by the Batwa and LGBTQI+ people. The project also leveraged international human rights frameworks to reinforce the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their background or identity. Through these concerted efforts, the project created an inclusive and equitable environment, where the rights and well-being of socially marginalized groups are respected and upheld. By empowering leaders and promoting positive changes in attitudes and policies, this project helped break the cycle of poverty, discrimination and social isolation that hinders the Batwa and LGBTQI+ communities from fully participating in Rwanda's social, economic and political life.

"A well-documented and reported case serves as a valuable tool for advocacy on behalf of victims [and] as a basis for seeking justice." - Scholastique Nyiramajyambere

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Scholastique was a participant in the IVLP Project Human and Civil Rights for Marginalized Communities, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center.

Scholastique's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "During the program I had an opportunity to understand the best practices to prevent and address human rights violations against members of marginalized communities. It has been an opportune time to explore building local capacity to document abuses and advocate for the rule of law to protect the rights of victims."

U.S. Communities Visited

San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; Pensacola, FL; Baltimore, MD, Kalamazoo, MI

Country: Rwanda

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