English
Kinyarwanda
Rwanda National Police reminds the general public to break silence and report incidences of domestic and gender-based violence in their respective communities, some of which happen in their eyesight.
The call stems from recent cases of assault in families, especially between spouses.
A case in point happened on September 21 in Karongi District where a woman allegedly seriously assaulted her husband on the neck with a machete.
According to Police, the couple ensured in a domestic related argument at their home in Shyembe, Murambi Sector which forced the wife to take the bloody and criminal action against her 60-year old spouse.
The husband was rescued by neighbours. The suspect is currently detained at Ndera Police station as investigations continue.
Inspector of Police (IP) Theobald Kanamugire, Police spokesperson for the Western Province, narrated that the couple have been having long-standing differences that were climaxed with the “uncalled for bloody action.”
“On the fateful day, the husband came back home at about 6:00 pm. As soon as he entered the house, the wife trounced on him with a panga and tried to cut his neck, luckily enough neighbours, who were nearby and heard the man’s alarm for help, arrived in time and saved his life,” IP Kanamugire narrated.
“Neighbours immediately called Police and officers arrived in time, arrested the wife and rushed the victim to the hospital,” he added.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that although the couple had their differences, there are some family members who contributed to these misunderstandings, but we are still investigating to get to the bottom of it.”
He outlined misuse of family income, property disputes, parental negligence and drug abuse or drunkenness as major causes of such domestic and gender based violence crimes.
It is also said to be caused by gender inequality, ignorance and male chauvinism.
He reminded the public that gone are days when community safety was entirely the responsibility of Police, adding that people should report such affected families so that their grievances are solved before they turn violent.
Last year, about 100 people were seriously assaulted either by their spouses, neighbours or relatives. Between 2012 and 2013 alone, twenty-five men were also killed by their spouses and 67 women killed by their husbands.
“Even when it happens and you notice a GBV case, like any other crime, you shouldn’t keep mum, instead report so that justice is served and send a message to others on the weight of the injustices they commit against others.”
In broad terms, gender-based violence is violence directed at an individual based on their sex, gender identity, or perceived adherence to socially defined norms of masculinity and femininity.
