Protection of children from abuse of all kinds is not only the role of Rwanda National Police (RNP) but a collective responsibility for parents, leaders, guardians, mentors and the children themselves, the Mayor of City of Kigali, Monique Mukaruliza, has said.

The mayor made the remarks, yesterday, as she presided over the launch of the nationwide annual ‘Police Week,’ at Kigali Metropolitan Police headquarters in Remera, Gasabo District.

The event came a day after similar activities to mark the 16th anniversary of RNP were launched in all other provinces on Saturday.

The launch in Kigali started with painting zebra crossings as a sign of promoting road safety, which is also part of this year’s Police Week activities.

It also coincided with the official launch of the toll-free child-helpline, 116, that operates in RNP call centre in Kacyiru and has the capacity to receive at least 30 calls simultaneously.

"Children are the powerhouse of the country’s development; if there are conflicts in the family, children become the victims and at times these abuses are long-term in nature,” Mukaruliza said.

"Today, we celebrate the Rwanda National Police various milestones in the last 16 years, to which we attribute the safety we enjoy today, but it rests in the responsibilities of everyone to fight any form of crime, including child abuse,” she added.

"Children have to be protected from all forms of abuses and given basic necessities like right to education and health.”

Policies to protect children

The Government, she said, has put in place policies to ensure protection of the rights of children, including enacting laws, universal education, establishment of the National Commission for Children and feeding programme among others.

"In the last 16 years, Police have played a significant role in fighting gender based violence, human and drug trafficking, protection of children and enforcement of children enrolment in schools. We need to supplement these efforts as leaders, parents and mentors, get children off the streets and take them to school and fight school dropouts,” the mayor said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana called for effective use of the available Police communication channels to report crimes, singling out toll-free lines – 116 for child abuse and 3512 for GBV.

Police currently run nine toll-free lines that also include 112 for emergency, 113 (road safety), 111 (fire and rescue), 110 (maritime), 997 (anti-corruption), Isange One Stop Centre (3029 for GBV and Child abuse) and 3511 for Complaint against its officers.

Gasana said effective and timely use of these communication facilities in information sharing will ultimately contribute to crime prevention.

"This campaign to protect the rights of children is in line with the Government programmes and the campaign by the First Lady to ensure that children are protected and their rights observed,” IGP Gasana said.

Children encounter challenges of peer influence, drug abuse, child labour, forced or influenced school dropout and early pregnancy or parenthood, all of which cause insecurity in one way or another, the IGP added.

George Gitau, the national director of World Vision, pledged continued partnership with Rwanda National Police and the country in general to ensure that the rights of children are protected.

This year’s Police Week was organised in partnership with World Vision, a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

Meanwhile, the Police Week that include ‘Open Day,’ awareness against human trafficking, drug abuse and gender based violence will be climaxed by the Police Day on June 16, the day when the Force was created exactly 16 years ago.

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