English
Kinyarwanda
Police in Karongi District have urged residents not to relent in the fight against Gender based (GBV) but to break the silence on any form of violence directed to women and girls in their community.
The call was made on July 11, by the District Police Commander, Senior Supt. Eric Kanyabuganza, while meeting residents of Bwishyura Sector.
He told residents that winning the fight against high impact crimes such as GBV lies under their responsibilities as well by reporting any incident they encounter or witness to the nearest police or local authorities.
He said that the establishment Anti Gender -Based Violence and Child Protection Directorate as well as community poling efforts including sensitization campaigns are meant to empower them to fight and prevent the vice.
He said a lot has been made towards fighting violence but “more needs to be done to weed out even the remotest form of violence where women and girls are assaulted and abused, in most cases by spouses and parents.”
“I urge women and girls to know and stand up for your rights. Don’t be abused and keep quiet,” SSP Kanyabuganza said, urging them to utilize the available communication means to report the injustices they face.
The toll-free lines include 112 (emergency), 3512 (GBV), 3029 (Isange One Stop Centre) and 116 (Child-Help-Line).
The vice mayor of Karongi in charge of Social Affairs, Drocella Mukashema, also urged residents to use existing platforms such as Umugorobaw’ababyeyi, to discuss and speak against GBV.
Umugorobaw’ababyeyi, literally meaning the ‘evening of parents, brings parents and elders together to discuss strategies that can help improve their relationships, prevent and resolve conflicts that arise in their households, among others.
