Rwanda National Police

In a bid to demonstrate a strong commitment to gender equality, and further boost the fight against gender-based-violence (GBV), Rwanda National Police has joined the “HeForShe” global campaign.

RNP joined the global campaign through a launch held at Police Headquarters in Kacyiru and officiated by the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Oda Gasinzigwa, alongside the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana, and the representative of ONE UN Women, Clara Anyangwe  and the Head of Gender Monitoring Office,  mrs Rose Rwabuhihi,

Officials and Police Officers attending the the launch of HeForShe (Foto: RNP Media Center)

“HeForShe” is a solidarity campaign for gender equality initiated by UN Women, whose goal is to engage men and boys as agents of change for the achievement of gender equality and women’s rights, by encouraging them to take action against inequalities faced by women and girls.

In her address to police officers, Minister Gasinzigwa noted that “HeForShe” is grounded in the idea that gender equality is an issue that affects all people — socially, economically and politically — it seeks to actively involve men and women.

“The movement for gender equality was originally conceived as a struggle for women by women – but today – it is clear that women alone cannot promote gender equality. Men must come on board and support this initiative,” she said.

The Minister added that; “Our President Paul Kagame is a champion for gender equality and women empowerment – he has been recognized all over the world for his relentless work in promoting the rights of women. This is the kind of exemplary leadership required to inspire men and women towards achieving equality.”

IGP Gasana told the officers that awareness campaigns should be supplemented with action implementation, where men are aware that gender equality is necessary for family welfare and national development.

“Promoting gender equality is a critical component of crime prevention and maintenance of law and order in society. For that reason, RNP intensely reaches out to citizens all over the country to discuss issues related to gender promotion, continuously seeks for opportunities, like “HeForShe”, through which national response to gender equality can be improved,” he said.

Rwanda National Police Spokesperson (RNP), Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Celestin Twahirwa (Center) signing up for HeForShe global campaign (Photo: RNP Media Center)

The One UN Women representative,  Anyangwe, commended RNP for its nationwide campaigns against GBV and urged police officers to sign up to become “HeForShe” Champions.

“Our goal is to engage as many men and boys as possible in this campaign that calls for gender equality. RNP has been a steadfast partner in ensuring that GBV is curbed, while Rwanda as a country is always projected as a case study in ensuring that women and men have equal opportunities,” she said.

She added that; “President Kagame was the first Head of State to recognize this “HeForShe” campaign, and we consider him as the role model and a champion for women rights not just in Rwanda but in Africa and the world.

During the launch, many police officers signed up for campaign joining thousands of others who have also signed up all over the world, as UN Women works towards its goal of engaging 1 million men and boys by July 2015.

The ministry of Gender and Family Promotion seeks to get at least 100,000 signatures from men and boys in Rwanda in this campaign.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 23, 2015, UN Women launched the “HeForShe” initiatives titled “IMPACT 10X10X10” to gain further momentum in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment The initiative was launched as a one-year effort to engage governments, corporations and universities as instruments of change.

In a bid to bolster gender equality, RNP holds the ‘Police Women Convention’, annually, which brings together female Police officers to deliberate on issues affecting them in their day-to-day duties.

Currently 20 percent of the total Police force is composed of women and the force is moving towards the 30 percent minimum requirement soon and  will continue to raise the number of female police officers.