Rwanda National Police has launched a countrywide campaign against Gender-based Violence (GBV) .

The campaign, launched in Rwamagana District, is being spearheaded by RNP’s Department of Medical Services.

It targets youth leaders, community policing committees, representatives of the National Women Council and district judicial Police officers.

Others are members of district administrative security support organs and representatives of Genocide survivors and they came from all districts in the Eastern Province.

All these are expected to take back the message to the communities in their respective constituencies.

Addressing participants at St. Aloys Secondary School in Rwamagana town, Dr Wilson Rubanzana, the coordinator for Isange One-Stop Centres and Specialised Medical Programme, said the campaign was organised as part of the Force’s efforts to ensure GBV free communities.

Dr Rubanzana said the campaign would be conducted in other provinces as well.

"We have established important institutions like the Gender Desk Directorate and Isange One-Stop Centre which offers a holistic package to victims of GBV, and all services are offered at no cost,” he said.

Desire Habiyaremye, the head of social affairs in Juru Sector, Bugesera District, lauded RNP’s continued efforts to combat GBV in the country.

He expressed commitment to spreading  the anti-GBV message to the grassroots, especially during public gatherings like community work (Umuganda) and other forums.

"We are all duty-bound to curb GBV in communities, we have the knowledge that we need to help people change their attitude,” he said.

Immacule Uwimana, from Gatsibo District, said the fight to end violence against women remains a concern in society.

"There are some kinds of GBV that have been going unnoticed because of our ignorance. The training was an eye-opener to many things that happen in homes,” Uwimana said.

She said the challenges in addressing GBV require a holistic and multi-dimensional approach focusing mainly on behavioural change.