English
Kinyarwanda
Over 300 clerics and leaders of ADEPR Church leaders held a three day workshop in Rwamagana District that mainly focused on discussing measures to contribute to existing security and national efforts in addressing the issue of Gender Based Violence.
The workshop ended on August 26, was held under the theme: “Forgive and avoid family conflicts.”
While addressing the clergy, Inspector of Police (IP) Marie Goreth Uwimana, the District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO) of Rwamagana explained that GBV manifests in many forms citing physical violence including assault and psychological violence such as torture as well as property related conflicts as some of the aspects.
“The issue of harassment, conjugal rape, and male chauvinism and child abuse are among GBV aspects in families. Men in most cases tend to dictate terms in the family, deny their spouses and children rights especially in regard to property and this also one of the major causes,” IP Uwimana observed.
“Domestic and gender based violence is in most cases done internally in families, and there’s a likelihood that most of these cases remain unreported. We need people to understand their rights as a man, woman and child, and claim these rights by reporting any human rights violations they face in their homes,” she added.
She reiterated the role of faith-based organization in mending families and raising awareness against GBV and child abuse.
“Rwandans need to know and understand their rights and ensuring this becomes a collective responsibility,” the DCLO said.
While reacting on the message from the DCLO, Pastor Lorien Nsengiyumva said: “The massage we have just received is crucial, it has informed our way of response as ADEPR church to reinforce efforts to address the problem.”
