Rwanda National Police

Violence against women and girls is a global endemic affecting almost every country on every continent.

Statistics by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) indicates that violence cause more death and disability among women aged between 15 and 44, than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war combined.

Even more disturbing, UNICEF shows that one in five women is a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime.

The reasons why cases of gender-based violence (GBV) have managed to persevere in several societies is because most cases are unreported, and thus, go undetected – which gives offenders the belief that they can carry out more cruel acts without facing justice.

The Director of Anti-GBV and Child Protection Directorate at Rwanda National Police (RNP), Superintendent Belline Mukamana, says that encouraging people to speak out against GBV is one of the strongest tools that can be used to overcome the scourge.

“RNP constantly reaches out to the public and encourage them to break silence about incidences of GBV they face or see. We realized that people were afraid to come out, but ever since we began sensitization campaigns, more people have come out to provide credible information and this has enabled police to know, investigate and apprehend offenders,” she said.         

Statistics from the Anti-GBV and Child Protection Department prove that speaking out against the scourge has indeed enabled justice to be served.

In March 2015, reported cases totaled to 289, but they increased to 295 in April and 317 in May. Of those cases, defilement topped the list with113 cases reported in March, 105 in April and 134 in May.

Other prevalent cases in that period included rape and physical assault.

“Most of these cases used to go unreported and it caused a great danger to society and a pandemic against women and children which often resulted in physical, sexual or psychological harm. Through the initiative of community policing, Rwandans throughout the country are now coming out to alert police and not intimidated by the perpetrators of GBV,” she said.

In another sensitization campaign, Superintendent Mukamana traveled to Kamonyi District on June 30, where the Mobile Police Station Vehicle was stationed, in order to raise awareness about GBV.

As hundreds of residents turned up to report cases at the Mobile Police Station in Karama Sector, Bunyonga Cell, they soon after gathered to discuss about the challenge of GBV and how to cooperate with police in order to overcome it.

In her remarks, Superintendent Mukamana noted that residents need to advocate for policies that promote gender inclusion in the communities – and particularly encouraged the youth to take a stand in their communities and speak out against GBV.

The Executive Secretary of Karama Sector, Francois Sebagabo commended Police for acting professionally and swiftly to reduce incidence of GBV and called on the residents to enhance their partnership with police.

“RNP has indicated its comprehensive and inclusive strategy of prevention, intervention, treatment, and enforcement by strengthening operations and responses to the GBV. As the residents, we should ensure we protect the vulnerable by being their voice at all times,” he said.