{Residents of Mushikiri Sector in Kirehe District have recommitted to addressing the persistent issues related to domestic violence which, they say, is a major hindrance to household welfare and development.}
They made the commitment during their meeting with Police, which aimed at strengthening partnership to address issues related to gender based violence, which are still common in Mushikiri.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow residents, Phenias Ndengeyinka commended the police for its efforts in ending domestic violence.
He pointed out that as residents, it automatically lies in their hands to respond to what affects them, which is why they should forge a strong bond with the police and local authorities to get to the root causes as an effective means to combat the vice.
“Through cooperating with law enforcers, we will be accountable to each other to raise awareness and ensure that no one falls victim of domestic violence,” Ndengeyinka said.
He further called upon community members to break silence on any affected families adding that by remaining silent, they will be igniting conflicts.
Inspector of Police (IP) Gahigi Harerimana, the District Community Liaison Officer of Kirehe, who attended the meeting, thanked the over 500 residents, who participated, for their community policing initiatives.
When a family is ridden with spousal conflicts, IP Harerimana said, the consequences are dire to their children who also find themselves divided in support of either parents resulting into violence.
“When families are living in harmony it is easily reflected in the upbringing of their children and development of a household,” IP Harerimana observed.
Domestic and gender based violence, he said, is a human rights violation that has physical, mental and psychological effects on the victim and a barrier to civic, social and economic progress.
“Effects of domestic misunderstandings go beyond homes and that’s why you should strive to ensure that differences are solved amicably either internally or with the help of those concerned.”
“It would be unfortunate for your neighbours to reach to an extent of attempting to kill each other when you knew about it and you did nothing to help; that makes you an irresponsible neighbor,” IP Harerimana told residents.
He went on to urge them to be an eye for their neighbours by reporting families that could be embroiled in domestic disputes.
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