Rwanda National Police

Police in Muhanga District, was on September 27 joined by local leaders and the Methodist church in raising awareness against gender based violence and child abuse. The campaign was held separately in the sectors of Ruhango and Ntongwe.

The executive secretary of Ruhango Sector, Jean Bosco Nemeyimana while addressing residents including the youth, urged them not to report all injustices especially those related to domestic and gender based violence and child abuse in their homes and communities

“Wherever you are be part of the fight against injustices that women and children face in their homes, communities or schools,” he said, warning against corporal punishment in the name of disciplining children especially by parents and mentors.

He also urged them to report families that are facing domestics so as to be addressed before they turn violent.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Angelique Abijuru, the District Community liaison Officer (DCLO) of Ruhango said that majority domestic related conflicts are fueled by abuse of drugs or family property.

IP Abijuru also noted that such conflicts drive children out of their homes and they end up on streets where they end up indulging into other criminal acts like abusing drugs and theft.

“A woman has a right like a man in the family, children have rights too,” she said urging children to open up and report abuses they face.

She reminded them that domestic conflicts undermines family development, affects the social wellbeing of some family members and the community, and leads to insecurity of individuals affected and the community in general.

CIP Abijuru also called for partnership against illicit drugs by reporting dealers.