Female Police officers have been urged to be the vanguard of family values, police discipline and ethical conduct in order to fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

Addressing about 700 women police officers who attended a two-day convention at Ubutore Development Centre in Burera District on Friday, the Inspector General of Police Emmanuel Gasana said the officers should apply their skills to fight against GBV, family violations and child abuse.

He said that EAPCO and EAC have chosen Rwanda as centre of excellence for anti Gender Based Violence and urged female police officers to maintain the discipline while maintain the hope and keep being examplary.

Females account for 20 percent of the police, but the target is to achieve the constitutional threshold of 30 percent representation in public institutions by 2015. 

More women were needed to enhancement the force’s fight against GBV, Gasana said.

According to head of Gender Monitoring Office, Rose Rwabuhihi, although Rwanda has put in place laws to protect women, domestic violence was still prevalent. She urged female officers to join efforts with other institutions to fight the vice.

She cited recent surveys that showed 25 percent of men and 56 percent of women between aged between 15 and 45 where a husband has a right to beat his wife for various reasons.

Sergeant Felicite Urumuri, one of participants, said that the convention will add more knowledge on what they already have and will help them put more efforts to fight GBV.

Clara Anyangwe, the UN Women deputy representative in Rwanda, hailed the role of female police officers and urged them to keep working hard to support women to end GBV. The convention was held under the theme, "United to end Gender Based Violence.”