The Rwanda National Police (RNP) annual week-long activities to mark its 16th anniversary started on June 11 in the Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern provinces to showcase the importance of community policing especially in the protection of the rights of children.

Dubbed ‘Police Week,’ is it held under the theme "Stand up for Child Protection.”

The main objective of this year’s exercise is to showcase the importance of partnerships in crime identification and prevention; enhance mechanisms for collaboration in service delivery and accountability and increase public awareness and responsibility to protect children.

The launch was held at a selected Police Station in each province.

In the Southern region, the launch was held in Ruhango Sector of Ruhango District, in the Eastern, it was held in Kigabiro of Rwamagana District, while in the Western and Nothern provinces it was held in Rugerero of Rubavu and Muhoza in Musanze, respectively.

Speaking in Kigabiro, Rwamagana District where the official launch in the Eastern Province was held, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Dr. Diane Gashumba, who was the guest of honor, challenged parents to be defined by the "Rwanda values that puts the rights of children forward.”

By fighting violations directed to children, she noted, they will as well be sustaining and building on what the government has achieved in the past years, both in terms of respect for people’s rights and development.

"Take your children to school, protect them from anything that can be harmful or expose them to a wrong direction,” Minister Gashumba said.

She, however, warned of appropriate measures to be taken against parents and leaders, who tilt from their roles.

She further called upon the general population to stand up for the rights of children adding that "bringing up a resourceful and dignified generation is a collective responsibility.”

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda, commended the role of the general population in crime detection and prevention, including child abuse.

"The Police partnership with the public through community policing has been valuable and is a force multiplier that has contributed so much on the current safety and security people in Rwanda enjoy,” DIGP Marizamunda said.

"Those, who indulge in activities that impede on the rights and safety of others, should know that security organs and other Rwandans are wide awake, and their actions can’t be tolerated,” he warned, adding that "security is the foundation of everything.”

Police was joined by other security organs, provincial governors and other local leaders, civil society representatives and thousands of residents in this week-long exercise that will end on ‘Police Day’ – June 16 – when the force was created in the year 2000.

Also lined up during the Police Week are campaigns against drug abuse, human trafficking and road safety, and other human security activities.

At the national level, the official launch is expected to be held at Kigali metropolitan headquarters in Remera, Gasabo District on Sunday, June 12.

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