Rwanda National Police

Residents of Gikonko in Gisagagara District have been urged to be vigilant against gender-related crimes as well as report individuals and families that may be suspected to be in the habit.

The message was relayed on December 1, by Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP), Marie Chantal Uwambaje, Gisagara District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO), during a meeting with residents of Gikonko Sector in Gasagara cell.

“Women and girls suffer gender based violence, yet they are equally very important in nation building and are the anchors of our families. The fight against this vice must not be left to security organs only but must be made a prerogative to every citizen,” she said.

AIP Uwambaje outlined physical assault, defilement and rape among the most persistent gender related crimes which she said are mainly induced by abuse of alcohol and drugs, as well as family misunderstandings.

“As members of the same community, it is each and every one’s role in ensuring own safety and security of our mothers, sisters and friends because violence against them has far-reaching consequences on our own lives,” she said.

Françoise Nyirarukundo, the representative on the National Women Council in the district told the residents that security is the key to sustainable development and urged them to abstain from criminal acts.

She also commended the good cooperation between police and area residents in fighting crimes, but challenged them to strengthen the cooperation further.