Research Department

Research Overview

Advocacy for change cannot be successful without evidence. Since its establishment, HDI has used research to form the foundation of initiatives related to decriminalizing sex work, expanding access to safe abortion information and services, and addressing barriers to adolescent access to SRHR information and services, among others.

HDI works in partnership with different institutions including higher institutions of learning and international organizations such as the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), UNFPA and JHPIEGO to develop advocacy materials including policy briefs, position papers and other research initiatives. This research helps us to generate evidence which propels our advocacy work forward in tailoring interventions to the needs of target rights-holders.

Past Research Initiatives

Some of the most recent HDI research initiatives include conducting research on the lived experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community in Rwanda, which will bolster support for anti-discrimination efforts and provision of stigma-free services.

• Parents' Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) Towards Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Secondary Schools in Rwanda
• Situation of Female Sex Workers and LGBTI Persons in Rwanda
• Reproduction and Prevention of Stunting Project for Rwanda
• Barriers to Safe Abortion and Existing Legal Framework: Opinions of Women Leaders in Rwanda
• Health Care Counsellors' Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Safe Abortion in Rwanda
• Capacity needs assessment for CSOs in the justice and human rights sector
• Adolescent Relationships in Rwanda: Dating, Couple Conflict and Sexuality

Policy Briefs

• Expanding adolescent and youth access to sexual and reproductive health services in Rwanda
• Safeguarding the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women and Girls through the Penal Code Amendment
• Protecting the Health and Rights of Vulnerable Women Engaged in Sex Work
• Addressing the Legal and Policy Challenges to Adolescents' Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Services in Rwanda