{Rwanda National Police (RNP) has fostered an ideal gender-promotion environment that has enabled women to have a platform on which they can exercise their rights and freely contribute to the security development of the country.
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Lamin Manneh, the ONE-UN Rwanda Resident Coordinator said this on December 23 during a training workshop for commissioned female officers, held at the RNP Headquarters in Kacyiru.
The workshop which was opened by the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Oda Gasinzigwa attracted 100 female officers under the auspices of RNP and ONE UN, to enhance the female officers’ capacity in various policing duties.
Speaking at the workshop, Manneh said that Rwanda’s image as a champion of gender equality has continued to rise internationally and commended RNP for recognizing the special work done by women officers.
“We share Rwanda’s vision of being a country free from all forms of discrimination, especially those based on gender; a country that is almost free of corruption provides this generation and the future generation a platform to fully participate in the affairs of the country,” Manneh said.
“In many countries of our continent there is strong expression to improve gender equality but it is not followed up by strong actions to implement these expressions. Rwanda is an exceptional country that has put in action these dreams,” he added.
He praised RNP for enabling female officers to get promoted at the same footing as their male counterparts, and added that the achievements made in the promotion of gender equality in Rwanda came as a surprise considering its dark past plighted by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, where gang rape and defilement was also used as a weapon.
“Who would have thought that one day women will be sitting in high level positions in institutions such as Police, military or parliament? Rwanda’s achievements rank high and even better than those of developed nations,” he said.
“We are also happy to note that female police officers from Rwanda are playing a very important role in peacekeeping missions around the world. It is only through visionary leadership and commitment that Rwanda has turned a dream into reality.”
The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, told the conference that gender promotion empowerment has positively impacted policing strategies and has enabled modest progress to be achieved over a period of time.
“Gender equality is not a favor but a right,” he said, adding that: “A country cannot fully develop if women are not given the right environment to contribute economically.”
“We always seek to give more opportunities to female officers; when more of them get higher ranks, they inspire other young women to work hard and do their part in developing the country.”
IGP Gasana said the force has taken various initiatives to promote gender in the force and to be part of peace building and development both at home and in other countries.
Rwanda is currently among the leading contributors of female police officers in peacekeeping missions, and is among the few countries that have elaborated the UN Security Council resolution 1325 action plan.
Resolution 1325 urges all actors to increase the participation of women in conflict resolution, peacekeeping and incorporate gender perspectives in all United Nations peace and security efforts.
A Rwandan, CIP Antoinette Umuraza, was also in October 2014 appointed the chairperson of the United Nations Police (UNPOL) Women Network under the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (Minusca).
Another officer, IP Felicite Mujawamariya, was also recently awarded with a medal of excellence by the UN for her outstanding performance in reform and restructuring as the UN Team Site Commander in Darfur.
Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Oda Gasinzigwa, commended Police for having a commendable number of female officers leading in various capacities, adding that the achievement is part of the government’s political will attain sustainable development through affirmative action.
“Gender promotion is a big step in the security and safety structures which were previously perceived to be a male business. Our country’s policy has proven that women can make tangible contribution in all sectors of development,” she said.
“I also thank the men, the commissioners and police officers for really supporting their fellow women officers to achieve their aspirations.”
Currently 20 percent of the total Police force is composed of women and the force is moving towards the 30 percent minimum requirement.
The RNP also holds the ‘Police Women Convention’, annually, which brings together female Police officers to deliberate on issues affecting them in their day-to-day duties.
Female officers were also given right to operate in areas of their families.
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