English
Kinyarwanda
The ongoing Rwanda National Police countrywide campaign against gender based violence continued in the Western province on December 30 with a call for residents to own the fight against the scourge.
While speaking at the official launch of the awareness campaign against GBV in the Western Province, Chief superintendent Reverien Rugwizangoga, the Regional Police Commander commended the residents, and asked them to double their efforts in ending crimes committed against women and children, as well as fighting against the use of illicit drugs in the area.
“As we head towards a new year, let us give ourselves the resolution that GBV and drug abuse will be left in history. Let us respect each other and seek to develop our nation collectively without trampling on the rights of any individual,” he said.
He also warned against human trafficking, saying that although it was not rampant in Rwanda, people, especially the youth must not be conned by strangers into accepting cunning lies.
“All the opportunities you need are here in Rwanda. Don’t be fooled by human traffickers who promise a variety of things when in reality they want to sell you into slavery. Work with Police and other security organs in order to overcome such acts.,” he said.
Caritas Mukandasira, the Governor of the Western Province also emphasised the need for harmonised efforts between security organs and public to effectively combat crimes.
The nationwide awareness campaign conducted by Rwanda National Police in partnership with Global Fund, targets, mainly, the youth, women, Community Policing Committee, community health workers, local leaders charged with gender-related issues and District Community liaison officers among others, and seek to increase community understanding on crime and GBV prevention in particular.
With so far anti-GBV clinics called Isange One Stop Centre established in eleven district hospitals, the force through its Department of Medical Services (DMS), targets 23 centers by the end of 2015 and consequently to all hospitals by 2017.
Isange provides free medical, psycho-socio and legal services to GBV victims.
