Rwanda National Police

The Minister of Health, Dr. Diane Gashumba said that female in policing represent the pride and dignity of a Rwandan woman.

The Minister made the remarks, yesterday, at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru where she presided over the 10th 'Police Women Convention.'

The convention was also attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza and his deputies; Juvenal Marizamunda of Administration and Personnel and Felix Namuhoranye in charge of Operations, the Chairperson of the National Itorero Commission, Edouard Bamporiki and other partners in gender promotion.

The annual gathering brings together hundreds of women Police officers of all ranks and the RNP leadership to discuss matters related to gender equality in the force and to address challenges affecting women in their policing duties.

The 10th convention was held under the theme: "Gender Equality Towards Professional Policing."

"Having you in ensuring the security of our country and in international peacekeeping duties brings the difference, and we feel proud for your commitment and patriotic duties," Minister Gashumba told female officers.

She embarked on the role of women Police officers in promoting healthy communities.

"It's not just donning that uniform but what it brings to the well-being of the people... we have pressing issues related to poor feeding, family planning and teenage pregnancies; we need to see you working with health workers in communities addressing these factors that affect community development and unhealthy living," the Minister added, urging them to lead by example. 

The Inspector General of Police, Dan Munyuza reiterated the impact of women in policing adding that "gender promotion in Police is both a policy and a right."

"This conference is organised every year in recognition and support of gender equality and to recognize the role of our sister's in policing," the Police Chief said.

 He said that the number of women joining the Police continue to grow and that it goes with promotion in ranks and appointments in decision making bodies as well as deployments in international peacekeeping duties where they also hold varied high posts.

Rwanda currently ranks as the first country globally with the highest number of female peacekeepers in UN missions.

IGP Munyuza challenged the female officers to continue to carry the pride of a Rwandan woman in all their policing duties and to feel empowered in the security work they do.