Residents of Rutsiro District have been urged to promote the culture of equality and fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) and child abuse.

The message was delivered by Rwanda National Police (RNP) this week during tour of the Mobile Police Station Vehicle.

The residents were also asked to  stand up against other crimes like drug abuse and human trafficking which mainly affect children, the youth and women.

The Mobile Station Service Vehicle team offered help to hundreds of Rutsiro residents, who presented their claims to police for investigation.

Most of their complaints revolved around asset ownership, family wrangles, theft, poor services from local leaders, gender based violence and family neglect.

The Mobile Station Service Vehicle is reserved for citizens residing or working in places located far away from police stations, with a mobile vehicle periodically traversing remote villages looking for residents who wish to file complaints.

Police engaged the residents in community policing discussions, calling on them to protect women and children by providing timely reports whenever an abuse occurs.

"As Rwandans, we should all be guided by virtues of patriotism, which also requires us to protect the vulnerable who have experienced or are susceptible to violence and crime,” Superintendent Beline Mukamana, the Director for Anti-Gender-Based Violence and Child Abuse Directorate at RNP, said.

"As a community, you should participate in drug prevention programmes and strengthen partnership with law enforcers through the provision of timely information to apprehend criminals.”

Rutsiro vice mayor in charge of Economic Development, Jean Damascène Nsanzimfura commended RNP for availing its services to the public at all times.

"Community policing through partnership with Police has advanced strategies to collectively fight crime and sustain the security we enjoy every day.

‘‘Let us be alert and collectively prevent GBV, which sometimes crops up and destabilises the peace that we enjoy,” Nsanzimfura said.

One of the residents in the area, Jean de Dieu Mbamubanzi said he was optimistic Police would fully investigate the case he filed.

The Police Mobile Station Vehicle service was first rolled out in Bugesera and Kamonyi Districts in January this year.