Residents of Southern Province have been called upon to stand up against gender-based violence and drug abuse that still affect the region.

Speaking during the launch of the ongoing awareness campaign against GBV in the province, yesterday, Jules Rutayisire, Huye District Police Commander, said  although issues related to gender and domestic violence have gone down, the fight is still hampered by the consumption of illicit brew and narcotics.

"Most GBV issues we receive are fueled by drug abuse where men consume illicit brew and batter their wives when they get back home. Drugs have also lured the youth into dropping out of schools and committing crimes,” Rutayisire said.

He also reminded the residents to spearhead the awareness against human trafficking to make the youth, the most vulnerable, understand the dangers associated and the tricks traffickers use.

He urged them to own the campaign by reporting people involved in the vice and families that could be embroiled in domestic conflicts so that they are reconciled or advised on other channels to solve their grievances.

The Force also conducts community activities identifying and reconciling couples that have domestic conflicts.

The nationwide awareness campaign, conducted by Rwanda National Police in partnership with Global Fund, targets mainly the youth, women, community policing committees, community health workers, local leaders charged with gender-related issues and district community liaison officers, among others.

The drive seeks to increase community understanding of crime and GBV prevention in particular.