Rwanda National Police

The National anti-Gender Based Violence and Child Abuse campaign that was launched early this month continued yesterday October 23, in Bugesera district where police officers worked with local authorities to mend 21 families that had for long been wrecked by wrangled.

According to the Police, family wrangles sometimes culminate into violence between spouses and effects of such misunderstandings normally stems down to the children.

“Sometimes what may be the cause of your misunderstanding may not necessarily be a big issue but as long as you don’t come to a mutual understanding, it’s your children that will suffer the consequences of your wrangles,” said Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Cyprien Uwitonze, Bugesera District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO).

The reconciled families are all from Gashora sector. After a group meeting with the wrangling family, officers and local leaders met each family separately handled educating them about effects of  GBV and laws that punish anyone who would violate the right of the other or those of the children.

Addressing the families, the Bugesera District Judicial Police Officer, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Emmerita Uwitonze told the families that violence robs women and girls of their full potential and causes untold human suffering.

“Violence against women and child abuse obstruct economic development, threatens peace and prosperity, and slow down full participation in family and community affairs. We all need to support each other in ensuring that every family lives in harmony,: she said.

Uwitonze went  on to outline laws punishing GBV noting that Gender-based violence takes many forms and can occur without being detected sometimes. Types of gender-based violence usually include infanticide; child and sexual abuse; forced labor; neglect; domestic violence; elderly abuse; and harmful traditional practices such as early and forced marriage.

The coordinator of Gashora sector, Jean de Dieu Muyengezi said “Regardless of the form that GBV takes, it is a human rights violation that Rwanda has chosen to uproot from society. We can end this scourge if we work together.”

The 21 families thanked the police and local leaders for enlightening them; and promised to ensure they work out differences amicably.