With the majority of the refugees (about 80 per cent) in the country being women and children, gender-based violence incidences have proven to be an issue for policymakers.

According to the 2010 demographic health survey, 41 per cent–or two in five refugee women–have suffered physical violence at some point since age 15, with most incidents occurring before and during flight.

In light of the protection challenges, the government and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) teamed up for joint interventions to ensure that refugees have dignified lives.

Among the areas that required addressing in refugee camps were child protection, domestic and gender-based violence, access to justice and the culture of impunity among refugees.

After participatory assessments conducted by UNHCR  and the government, a section of refugees claimed that there was indiscriminate and large scale violence against women, young girls and boys as well as physical and domestic violence. 

There were also incidents of girls getting pregnant as a result. 

The two partners subsequently presented a solution in the form of one-stop centres that not only targeted refugees but also their host communities.

Other partners in the protection include Police and district officials.

Roles of partners

Memorandums of understanding were signed between the parties, highlighting the role and mandate of each party toward social protection.

UNHCR’s role was to liaise with the government and provide overall leadership role in accordance with its mandate and lead other nongovernmental organisations in the process.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs was the line ministry on behalf of the government. 

The ministry was to ensure that in the long run, refugees were fully protected against gender-based violence with the existing system as well as manage and maintain constructed infrastructure.

District officials were to facilitate the acquisition of required documentation for infrastructure development so as to accelerate the construction works.

The memorandums also noted that upon completion of the construction, UNHCR would hand over the centres and their management to government.  

On September 12, last year, the first refugee centre for GBV protection was inaugurated by the three entities in Gihembe refugee camp in Gicumbi District. 

Named Turikumwe (Kinyarwanda for "we are together”) the centre had a multifaceted objectives calling for coordinated action in addressing protection challenges related to gender-based violence.

Last week, two other centres were inaugurated in Kigeme and Mugombwa refugee camps in Nyamagabe and Gisagara districts, respectively.

Among the services provided at the centres are trauma counselling, justice system services and medical services.

Outgoing UNHCR representative Neimah Warsame said among the reasons for partnering with government and handing over the centres is to ensure their sustainability.

"The government has proven to be committed in refugee affairs to ensure that their welfare is taken care of and they live dignified lives,” Warsame  said.

"With the partnership, we sought to put up centres that are not only for refugees use, but the entire community. With that the centres have gained support and already have impacts.”

Warsame said some of the impacts are an increase in the reporting of gender-based violence incidents since refugees are now aware of the procedures and processes involved.

Committed stakeholders

During last week’s inauguration, the Minister for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, Seraphine Mukantabana, said the set up of infrastructure dedicated to the prevention and fight against gender-based violence in refugee camps was a testimony of commitment by stakeholders to fight the vice.

"Drawing from the experience we got from Gihembe camp where the first facility was established last year, we have started observing a trend of positive change in reducing GBV, domestic crimes and other forms of violence in the camp,” Mukantabana said.

She said the refugees, too, have a role to play in preventing gender-based violence and eradicating other security threats within their community.

"Your contribution in security management of the camp and violence prevention is still a must,” the minister told the refugees.

In a UNHCR publication foreword titled, "A show of strength,” the minister said the reforms and initiatives to eradicate gender-based violence have not only impacted on refugee women lives, but the rest of the Rwandan society as well.

"They have created a strong sense of worth that comes as a direct result of restoring dignity and purpose of women in the country. The dignity of refugee women is of equal importance to the Rwandan Government and we are working closely with UNHCR to strive toward a better future for them,” the minister writes.

Commissioner of Police Bruce Munyambo described the infrastructure as tools to fight GBV and other vices and promised to utilise the facilities fully for purposes of refugee and residents protection.

Rwanda is home to more than 73,000 refugees, most of them from the restive eastern swathes of DR Congo, living in five various camps.