SOUTHERN PROVINCE

KAMONYI — The governor of the Southern Province, Fidel Ndayisaba, has asked residents to step up a campaign against Gender Based Violence (GBV).

He said, "The war against gender based violence calls for the victims to speak out openly on cases committed against them, and responsibility of residents to fight such crimes.”

He was last Sunday speaking during celebrations to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, in the Kamonyi district. 

GBV tops the list of frequent crimes among the eight districts in the province. Most of the cases were recorded in Muhanga and Nyamagabe districts, according to a December 2008 security report.

Annociata Kambayira, the National Women’s Council (CNF) coordinator in the province, also urged men to desist from mistreating women and join hands with their spouses to build the nation. She noted that women in Rwanda have come a long way and commended the support of the government.

At the same event, the governor asked residents to be vigilant on security and use community policing committees to prevent crime - through collaboration with Police and grassroots leaders.

During the celebrations, 21 families in Nyarusange sector unit in the Muhanga district, received certificates and 200 rabbits for their role in the fight against crime and especially GBV and for living an exemplary life.

Other 21 families were condemned for recurring misconduct and conflict in the neighborhood.

In the meantime, 26 mobile phone handsets were handed over to Community Policing Committees, in a bid to facilitate their efforts to report issues of abuse and violence in the area. 

Meanwhile, the celebrations in Ruhango were held in Bweramana sector, during which women attributed GBV to alcoholism, cultural beliefs, property, poverty and polygamy.

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