New plan to combat marginalisation of the Twa

The government has introduced an affirmative action plan for the minority Twa ethnic group, the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission has told IRIN. "The marginalisation of the Twa people is a dark side of our society. They have been systematically forgotten as if they do not exist. We have recommended an affirmative action for the Batwa, in terms of free education and health services. We also want the few that are educated to
be given a priority when it comes to employment," the commission's executive secretary, Aloisea Inyumba, said. The total population of the Twa in Rwanda is estimated at 10,000, with most of their number living in Rwanda's mountainous and forested areas. There is only one Twa parliamentarian, and there are perhaps tens of others in the public and private sector, according to sources in Kigali.