English
Kinyarwanda
The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, was joined by the Netherlands Ambassador to Rwanda, Vasco Rodriguez, to sternly condemn acts of gender-based violence (GBV) and child abuse, and called upon Rwandan citizens to actively campaign against the scourge in their communities.
The message was delivered on April 3, during a one day workshop hosted at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) Headquarters in Kacyiru.
The workshop attracted over 100 Police officers and medical personnel in the Isange One Stop Centers Multi Disciplinary Team operating throughout the country to help victims of GBV and child labour.
Isange One Stop Centres, which were implemented in partnership with Police, Rwandan government and the Netherlands Government, provide medical, legal services to GBV and child abuse victims and ensures that human rights are respected.
In his message, IGP Gasana said that GBV is a cruel and inhumane act which cannot be overcome by individual efforts but by everyone living in Rwanda.
"We can not let Rwandans to be overwhelmed by GBV and child abuse. On top of professionally investigating such cases, the Isange One Stop Centre was established to ensure that victims are given the best medical and psychological help," he said.
"As officers and medical personnel charged with such works, you should always act professionally and handle every case in a worthy manner."
IGP Gasana added that: "GBV issues can't be isolated to the justice sector alone. Every stakeholder in Rwanda, government and private, must stand up and play their role in combating this crime."
The Netherlands Ambassador, Vasco Rodriguez, commended the crucial role played by RNP for fighting GBV and child labour, and pledged more of his government's support in the fight.
"Police and its partners have played a crucial role in three things that are paramount in overcoming GBV and child abuse. First, by conducting special investigations into cases, secondly by extending medical support to victims through the Isange One Stop Centres and three, by conducting continuous sensitization campaigns to educate the masses on the issue," he said.
"It is for this reason that the government of Netherlands chose to partner with Rwanda in order to work together in developing good anti-GBV models which can inspire other countries."
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, Herriette Umulisa, told participants that since the inauguration of Isange One Stop Centre, GBV and child abuse victims have received ample care and have been reintegrated into the Community, while evidence against suspects has been collected in a better way.
"It is clear that the community has to work together with Police and other organs in order to end GBV. There is a lot that has been done; but we should fight on until we achieve our goal of ensuring that rights of women and children are respected thoughout our societies," she said.
The ISANGE One Stop Centre started in July 2009 at Kacyiru Police Hospital (KPH) as a pilot project - and has since then expanded to 12 centers operating countrywide.
It is a multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary Programme aimed at providing holistic and comprehensive care and support ranging from psycho-socio, medical and legal and Police services to adult and child survivors of gender based violence.
