Kirehe District residents have been urged to promote the rights of women and children and fight all acts of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). 

This message was delivered to over 250 residents of Muganza Cell of Gatore Sector in Kirehe District as part of a police sensitization programme in the area.

In his address, the District Community Liaison Officer for Kirehe, Assistant Inspector of Police Gahigi Harerimana, pointed out that GBV should always be considered a human rights violation that has physical, mental and psychological effects on the victim hence barrier to civic, social, political and economic participation.

"Rwandans chose to end any form of violence that targets individuals or groups on the basis of their gender, age or background. Therefore, as we seek for collective achievements as a nation, GBV, in all its manifestations, should not be tolerated. Let us join hands, to make our country safer for all, including our women and girls,” he said.

Harerimana also called on the community to look out for victims of GBV and offer or lead them to medical centers for treatment as well as identify offenders and report them to police before they offend again.

 "Let us together analyses the challenges encountered by survivors. Throughout the country, RNP runs GBV prevention programs and supports survivors to attain quality care and become productive members of society. We should therefore partner more in such initiatives to ensure that such crimes limited,” he added.

The Executive Secretary of Muganza Sector, Eraste Niyonsaba, commended the police for its anti-GBV efforts and urged residents to partner with police against the scourge and other crimes such as drug abuse and human trafficking.

"Through cooperating with law enforcers, residents will encourage accountability of their community and ensure that women and girls have equal rights in contributing to the development,” he noted.