Rwanda National Police

The Deputy Inspector General (DIGP) in charge of Operations, Felix Namuhoranye has urged all Police Commanders to endeavor to implement the principal of gender mainstreaming at all operation levels.

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

The Deputy Police Chief made the appeal on Tuesday at the opening of a one-day workshop for District Police Commanders, station commanders, Commanding Officers (COs) and Gender Focal Persons, which focused on promoting gender equality and improving performance of unit.

DIGP Namuhoranye said that Rwanda National Police (RNP) recognizes the role of women in policing. He also said that the force has well-defined operational guidelines to facilitate women officers to implement their policing responsibilities without any hindrances.

 “Men and women are equal and that applies to RNP as well, so respect diversities and gender related principles,” he said.

“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,” he added

Today, women account for 21 per cent of the total force.

The workshop was organized to enlighten the commanders on principles of gender mainstreaming as part of the force to protect and promote gender equality.

Mr. Jean Bosco Rudasingwa, the President of Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC), reiterated that gender equality is a global concern. He appealed to men to engaged in gender equality related aspects and participate in social programs and platforms meant to promote gender equality.

RWAMREC is a local organization that addresses gender related issues using the 'Men Engage Approach.'