Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda National Police countrywide awareness campaign against GBV and child abuse has continued in Huye District in the Southern Province.

The campaign under the theme, “Act together in prevention and response to GBV and child abuse”, was launched on September 25, in Musanze District. It was conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Family and Gender Promotion and the One UN Rwanda.

The campaign was also attended by district Mayors in the southern Province and students.

Commissioner of Police (CP), Emmanuel Butera, and the Commissioner for Operations noted that partnership of different institutions and the general public is very paramount to prevent GBV and child abuse in the country.

CP Butera also challenged campaigners to join hands with Rwanda National Police to fight drug abuse and some malpractices of serving beers to people under the age of 18.

He recounted that, drug abuse is linked with crimes like rape, defilement and assault. “If we want to have a GBV free society, it is paramount that we take a collective measure to protect the youth from drug abuse”, said Butera.

CP Butera reminded that, RNP has always been on the forefront in the fight against GBV, where the force has established Isange One Stop Centre which currently operates in 9 district Hospitals across the country.

Isange One Stop Centre provides free psycho- socio, medical and legal services to adults and child survivors of gender based violence and child abuse.

Marie Claire Uwumuremyi, the coordinator of National Women Council in the Southern Province, commended RNP’s continued efforts in the fight against GBV.

She challenged residents to uphold the culture of neighborhood watch to ensure the vice is jointly addressed.

Uwumuremyi also called upon residents particularly family members to openly speak out on cases of GBV, an approach she noted would help to uproot the vice in the country.

The campaign to fight and prevent GBV and child abuse is expected to cover different places in the country and will be ended in Kicukiro District.