{A 12-man delegation from Central Africa Republic (CAR), on Wednesday visited Isange One Stop Centre at Kacyiru Police Hospital, to purposely learn from Rwanda’s modal of fighting Gender Based Violence (GBV).}
The delegation which is composed of lawmakers, security force personnel and welfare experts, is in Rwanda for a five day visit aimed at getting acquainted on the country success story as far as GBV prevention is concerned.
At the Kacyiru Police Hospital (KPH), the delegation was received by Inspector of Police, Charles Rwego, the head of Psychiatry, who explained to them how the centre operates and different services offered to GBV victims.
Addressing the press shortly after a tour around the hospital, the head of the CAR delegation, Etienne Koyague, commended the significant strides made by the government of Rwanda in addressing GBV.
“Rwanda is worldwide known for her tremendous efforts in addressing GBV. We therefore chose to come to this great nation to learn from her success story in as far as prevention of GBV is concerned,” said Koyague calling upon other African countries to emulate what Rwanda has achieved in dealing with the vice.
“The experience we have acquired will be communicated to leaders in our country and if implemented, I am confident this will help reduce GBV back home,” he observed.
Isange One Stop Centre was established in 2009 with the support of the First Lady and One UN. Isange model has provisions for emergency contraception, HIV prophylaxis, Sexual Transmission Infections (STI) prevention and other medications. It provides free referral and specialized services like medico-legal, gynecology and obstetrics, mental health, legal and investigation, psychosocial, safe room and social integration services to victims of GBV and child abuse.
Part of the package patients and beneficiaries of the center receive include, basic services like feeding, clothing and shelter.
Since its inception, the Isange One Stop Center, which has become a regional center of excellence, has received over 10, 000 cases, majority related to sexual and gender violence.
The centre scooped the United Nations Public Service Award (UNPSA) 2012 for its efforts in fighting Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV). The award dubbed “Promoting Gender Responsive Delivery” of Public Services was in recognition of the success of the Isange. UNPSA is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service.
The centre currently operates in 23 district hospitals as the force continues to scale it up to all hospitals across the country.
Apart from Isange One Stop Centre, the visiting delegation also toured other government institutions such as, the Ministry of Gender and Family promotion, National Women Council, Rwanda Women Network, Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre among others.
The CAR delegation visit to Isange One stop Centre, came a week after a delegation of Kenyan Gender promotion activists also visited the center; their visit too was in a view of learning from Rwanda’s best practices so as to effectively deal with the vice in their country.
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