Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has called on residents of Kirehe District to promote the rights of women and children and fight all acts of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) that are harmful to individuals and the country’s socio-economic development.

Over 250 residents of Muganza Cell of Gatore Sector in Kirehe District listened to this message as it was delivered by police officers on September 03, during one of RNP’s sensitization programs against crime.

In his address, the District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO) of Kirehe, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Gahigi Harerimana pointed out that GBV should always be considered as a human rights violation that has physical, mental and psychological effects on the victim hence being barrier to civic, social, political and economic participation.

“Rwandans chose to end any form of violence that targets individuals or groups on the basis of their gender, age or background. Therefore, as we seek for collective achievements as a nation, GBV, in all its manifestations, should not be tolerated. Let us join hands, to make our country safer for all, including our women and girls,” he said.

AIP Harerimana also called on community residents to look out for victims of GBV and offer them, or lead them to medical centers for medical treatment and counseling, as well as identify offenders and report them to police before they offend again.

“Let us together Understand the challenges encountered by survivors. Throughout the country, RNP runs GBV prevention programs and supports survivors to attain quality care and become productive members of society. We should therefore partner more in such initiatives to ensure that such crimes are limited,” he added.

The Executive Secretary of Muganza Sector, Eraste Niyonsaba, commended RNP for its anti-GBV efforts and urged residents to partner with police against the scourge and other crimes such as drug abuse and human trafficking.

“Acts of GBV often result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women and girls - including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of their liberty. If you are a neighbor to someone who indulges in such crimes, do your part and report to police and local leaders,” he said.

“Through cooperating with law enforcers, residents will encourage accountability of their community members and ensure that women and girls have equal rights in contributing to the development of Rwanda.”