RNP launches countrywide anti-GBV awareness

{The Rwanda National Police through its Department of Medical Services (DMS) has launched a countrywide awareness against gender based violence (GBV) to further engage Rwandans in the campaign against the vice. }

The official launch of the campaign conducted in partnership with Global Fund was held on December 22 Rwamagana District.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr. Wilson Rubanzana, the Coordinator for Isange One Centres and Specialised Medical Programme, said during the launch that although gender violence incidences are on decline, there is still gap in public’s role to combat it.

He noted that RNP organized this campaign as one of its continued efforts to further engage everyone to prevent these acts which are common in communities and some go unreported.

ACP Dr. Rubanzana, reiterated that, GBV and drug abuse pose a serious security threat to the populace particularly the youth, thus the force making it a priority to fight them.

“We have established stringent measures like establishing a Gender Desk Directorate and Isange One Stop Centre for medical and legal service for the victims at no cost” he said.

Isange which started as a pilot project in 2009 is now being scaled up to all district hospitals across the country.

The official launch was attended from residents drawn from all districts in the Eastern Province including parents and the youth, local leaders and security organs.

ACP Rubanzana urged everyone to be active in this noble cause and report families that could be facing domestic conflicts so as to prevent bloodshed.

Erick Butera, in charge of Social Affairs in Rurenge sector in Ngoma district commended RNP’s continued efforts in maintaining security in the country and fighting gender based violence in particular.

“If these acts are to be dealt with effectively, everyone has to be active too. These are crimes that happen before us in communities, by our neighbours, and we can prevent them if we decide to do so by reporting them to the nearest authorities,” Butera said, calling upon the general public to also be active in community development activities like Umuganda, where these issues are also discussed.