Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) and partners in the justice, health, governance and the general public, on Friday, conducted a walk against Gender Based Violence and child pregnancy in different parts of the country, as part of the ongoing national efforts in combating the vices.

The awareness campaign conducted under the context of the ongoing Police Month, also involved birth registration of children including those born to GBV victims, psycho-socio and medical services to victims of gender violence, and recording complaints related to GBV and child pregnancy.  

Deogratias Nzamwita, Mayor of Gakenke District.

In the Northern Province, the exercise was conducted in all the five districts of the region.

The Mayor of Gakenke District, Deogratias Nzamwita, while addressing thousands of residents in Nemba Sector, urged them to stand up for their rights and report abuses they face or witness.

Nzamwita said that the Rwanda National Police outreach activities like those being conducted in the Police Month to further improve their living standards and raising awareness against crimes, is an indication of its commitment to ensure that all rights are respected and justice is served, but added that this largely depends on breaking silence to all sorts of injustices faced.

“Stand up for your rights; if you are abused don’t keep quiet, report to law enforcement agencies or local leaders, if it happened to your neighbor, relative or friend, encourage them to report it or report it yourself,” Mayor Nzamwita said.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Bruce Munyambo.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Bruce Munyambo, the Commissioner for Community Policing in RNP, also told residents of Gakenke that girls and children remain exposed to gender based violence occurring in families.

“Women, girls and children are exposed to sexual abuse ranging from harassment to rape or defilement. This is a violation of their rights, freedoms, and a physical and psychological torture. Families and parents in particular have the primary duty in fighting and preventing such human rights violations by living in harmony and setting an example,” CP Munyambo said.

He urged them to be agents of change in promoting gender equality.

“Stand up against gender based violence and violation of children rights… condemn it by speaking up, reporting and raising awareness against it,” he added, calling upon the young people to form clubs and other groups through which they will discuss their role in combating the vices.

GBV is violence directed at an individual based on their sex, gender identity, or perceived adherence to socially defined norms of masculinity and femininity.