SOUTHERN PROVINCE

NYAMAGABE — Couples have been urged to address issues of sexual dissatisfaction in order to avoid gender based violence.

The remarks were made by participants attending a seminar on Gender Based Violence in Nyamagabe district last Friday.

Christine Yamboneye, a participant and the President of the National Women Council in the Gatare Sector, explained that sexual dissatisfaction in marriage breeds infidelity which in turn leads to violence against women.

"I have counselled many couples who have had difficulties in their sexual life. They have confessed that failure to achieve sexual satisfaction creates tension and many times a source of conflict,” said Yamboneye, adding that discussing the problem openly breaks the tension.

"During counselling sessions we encourage women to come along with their husbands. We encourage them to discuss their sex related problems openly. Results have been positive,” she said.

The three-day seminar was organised by Care International in conjunction with the National Police as part of the campaign to mark 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence that kicked off on November 25.

According to the 2005-2008 Rwanda Police report on Gender Based Violence, 259 women were murdered by their husbands in the three years covered by the report.

The same report revealed that over 2,000 cases of rape and over 10, 000 defilement cases of children below 18 years of age were reported to the Police.

Jeannette Nduwamariya, the area project manager of Care International in the Province, said that such seminars are meant to bring to the limelight cases of Gender Based Violence so that victims can get the courage to speak out.

"Many women and in some cases men continue to suffer silently. Letting them know of their rights and helping them to speak out against such injustices is one way of finding a solution to this problem,” said Nduwamariya.

"Many such seminars are demanded by the local people. They propose topics and we provide the necessary expertise to address their need,” she added.

Nduwamariya, said that Care International has also embarked on helping women get empowered economically- with financial support channelled through their credit and savings scheme- Intambwe-in order to reduce financial dependence.

At the seminar, Superintendent Francis Muheto, the district Police Commander, said cases of violence against women have reduced drastically due to the establishment of community policing committees at the lower levels.

"Partnerships with other organisations through the district joint forum to fight violence against women have been instrumental in reducing this vice,” he said.

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