Rwanda National Police

The Commissioner for Human Resources and Management, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Yahaya Kamunuga, has challenged police officers to be the voice of gender equality in areas of their operations.

He made the call on Monday as he officiated the opening of a two-day career guidance and mentorship workshop of about 100 Police officers at Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru. Participants serve as Gender Focal Points in districts.

The workshop was organized to empower the officers in strategic management and leadership.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Yahaya Kamunuga, Commissioner for Human Resources and Management.

ACP Kamunuga challenged them to eliminate social and cultural barriers that affect the performance of women police officers.

“Men and women are equal and that applies to RNP as well, so respect diversities and gender related principles. Gender policy in the force has been given the attention it deserves to enable both women and men to serve to the best of their abilities in the policing journey,” ACP Kamunuga said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Marie-Gorette Mwenzangu, the Director for Gender Promotion at RNP, said that the workshop aims at enlightening young female police officers on gender concept, develop new gender-related skills with purpose of building self-confidence in problem-solving and decision-making.  

“We want to inspire and empower young female and male police officers to realize and unlock their potentials, in order to overcome the challenges and factors that deter them from growing in their careers particularly self-confidence and attitude change,” she said.  

She added: “The majority of our gender focal persons are female; we will keep on training them to be good leaders, confidence and self-esteem. This is the first batch, others will come.”

“We want to bolster coordination and cooperation of the Gender Focal Points with their commanders and community policing structures to provide comprehensive prevention and response services,” SSP Mwenzangu emphasized.

The workshop will tackle topics like conduct and values of a professional police officer and building a culture of accountability; effective communication and public relations skills, and leadership, among others.  

Participants also will be motivated by experts on how they can achieve their career and build self-confidence.