Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police and the National Women Council (NWC) have joined forces to raise voices and call for an end to gender based violence (GBV) in a bid to reinforce equality and the rule of law.

The National Women Council is an affiliate of the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, and serves as a social forum where girls and women pool their ideas in order to solve problems affecting them and to participate in the development of the country.

In a General meeting with over 150 members of NWC in Nyarugenge District on May 17, which was also attended by police officers serving in the district, Senator Perine Mukankusi, called on women to exploit the opportunity of equality presented by Rwanda’s leadership and ensure that their rights are respected.

“Rwanda is at the forefront for championing women rights – therefore – we must come together to denounce the crime of GBV and ensure that we collaborate with Police and other institutions in order to uproot it from society,” she said.

“Let us continue to work together in analyzing our challenges and encourage all women to participate in the development of Rwanda without facing any discrimination.”

In her remarks, the Mayor of Nyarugenge, Solange Mukasonga, told participants to sensitize women on the culture of patriotism and working for the country, as well as to know their rights whenever they face GBV.

“We all have a duty to enhance women’s ability to carry out development activities without the fear of facing GBV. Let us endeavor to provide timely information to Police so that they can arrest any suspected offenders in society,” she said.

The District Community Liaison Officer for Nyarugenge, Inspector of Police Claude Budaraza, noted that caring for victims of GBV is essential in overcoming the scourge, noting that specific crimes such as sexual assault and human trafficking should be tackled collectively.

“Girls and women are the common victims of sexual assault and human trafficking. That is why all residents in communities should come together to assist victims and also collaborate with Police and other partners to ensure that justice is served,” he said.

Police established the anti-GBV and child protection department which is dedicated to preventing and solving such cases all over the country, he added.

The force also established a toll free number 3512 where information from the public concerning defilement, rape and other gender and sexual related crimes can be reported so that immediate investigations can commence.

The establishment of Isange One Stop Centre at Kacyiru Police Hospital in 2009, which has so far been scaled up to 12 other hospitals across the country, is also meant to give holistic free services to GBV victims that include medical, psychosocial and legal. The centre is set to be extended to 44 hospitals across the country in near future.