A standard operation manual for Isange One Stop centres was launched, yesterday, by institutions charged with the activities of the centre, expected to facilitate replication of the services in all Isange centres across the country.

The manual was launched at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, Nadine Umutoni Gatsinzi.

The event was also attended by representatives from hospitals that host Isange and police officers operating in the centres, and other partners in the fight against gender-based violence and child abuse.

The manual outlines uniformity of specific services and procedures offered at all Isange centres.

‘Crime of great impact’

PS Gatsinzi said gender-based violence (GBV) and child abuse is a "crime that violates human rights, have impact on national security and socio-economic development of the country.”

"GBV and child abuse are serious crimes, even if it is done for or by one person. Beating or sexually assaulting someone affects them psychologically and at times these are lifetime effects. It is not the question of how many have been abused; it is the question of the weight even a single case carries to humanity,” she said.

"That is why it’s important to put in place different services and strategies so that victims receive quality psychological, medico-legal holistically in a uniform manner across the country.”

Isange One Stop Centre started in 2009 in Kacyiru as a pilot project, to bring together all players including the Ministries of Gender and Family Promotion; Justice; and Health, and RNP, as a multi-sectoral approach to provide free medical, legal and psycho-socio services to the victims of GBV and child abuse that would otherwise face challenges to access such services due to their varied vulnerability.

Currently, there are 28 Isange centres across the country.

According to Shafiga Murebwayire, the coordinator of Isange One Stop centres, the scale up of the centre to district hospitals was facing a challenge of ensuring uniformity in services offered.

"It was important to have a common approach so that victims across the country receive similar services,” Murebwayire said.

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