Abstract:
Stunting remains a major public health concern in Rwanda, especially in semi-urban and rural
communities like Bwishyura Sector, Karongi District. Despite various national policies and
programs aimed at reducing child malnutrition, persistent high rates of stunting indicate the need
to evaluate the role of community engagement. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of
citizen participation in stunting reduction efforts, focusing on how community members contribute
to the identification, management, and implementation of stunting-related interventions. The
research adopted a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected through structured
and semi-structured questionnaires from 194 participants, including parents/caregivers,
community health workers (CHWs), civil society representatives, and local officials. Qualitative
insights were gathered through interviews with key informants. Descriptive statistics and thematic
content analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that citizen participation
significantly enhances awareness, program implementation, and behavioral change related to child
nutrition. There was a strong positive relationship between the level of community engagement
and key stunting reduction outcomes, such as improved child growth monitoring, increased access
to healthcare services, and better household feeding practices. However, barriers such as economic
hardship, limited male involvement, and low collaboration with local authorities were noted. The
study concludes that strengthening citizen participation is essential to achieving sustainable
improvements in child nutrition and reducing stunting in Bwishyura. It recommends increased
capacity-building, participatory planning, and targeted support for CHWs and vulnerable families.
