Rwanda National Police

Police in Kamonyi District have called upon women to stand up and break silence on all sorts of gender based violence they encounter or witness in their communities.

The call was made recently by the District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO) of Kamonyi, Inspector of Police (IP) Eugenie Uwimana during a meeting with about 170 members of the National Women Council and other women representing various groups.

IP Uwimana also said that women should themselves work towards preventing and stopping GBV by reporting cases to police where violence has occurred.

She further called for more efforts in eradicating what she called "backward discrimination, social norms and gender stereotypes that perpetuate such violence.”

Although progress has made in GBV reporting and fighting, she noted that some victims are still ignorant of their rights or stuck on traditional beliefs, and urged them to claim their rights by reporting all injustices they witness or face.

Emmanuel Bahizi, the district executive secretary while speaking at the same function said that the “existing political will against GBV and domestic violence, and effective enforcement methods should be a motivation to completely eradicate the vice."