Each year, following the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, every 25th November, The UN observes ‘16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.’ This period aims to draw attention to a stain on the global consciousness: nearly one out of every three women in the world has been abused during their lifetime.
As this year’s campaign concludes, it is time to take stock of what our country has achieved. Though Rwanda’s government has set a pace in the fight against, including criminalising GBV in 2008 and an anti-GBV policy introduced in 2011, GBV remains a widespread problem in the country.
Women remain the primary victims. According to Rwanda’s Demographic and Health Survey report published by the National Institute of Statistics (2019/20); 37 percent of women and girls, aged between 15-49 have experienced physical or sexual; or psychological violence. The corresponding proportions among men are 30%. The same report indicated that 46% of ever-married women and 18% of ever-married men have experienced spousal, physical, sexual, or emotional violence. Although not as widespread, violence against men exists in Rwanda, and male victims should not be ignored. We should all feel concerned and ready to fight it as a society.
Each of these cases is preventable. Government institutions are working jointly and tirelessly to prevent violence and seek justice for victims. The most crucial step is preventing violence and to achieve this, education is vital. Beyond schools, community education and participative sensitisation campaigns are key pillars of the government's strategy. Grassroots, community-based initiatives like the Umugoroba w’Imiryango (Families Evening Forum), Inteko z’abaturage (community gatherings) , and Umuganda, help spread messages to breakdown stigmas around GBV and its warning signs.
There have been anti-GBV campaigns in the media, including on TV and Radio, and it helped bring the topic into everyday discussions. In addition, religious leaders and non-governmental institutions are important partners in the fight against GBV.
These initiatives are producing results. Notably, the GBV statistics generally show increases in the number of cases reported, which reflects that victims are becoming less likely to hide their abuses – a positive step in the road to eliminating abuse.
Once these cases have been reported, it is essential that they be dealt with appropriately. Since their inception in 2009, there are now 44 Isange One Stop Centres (IOSC) around the country – one in each district hospital. Isange One Stop Centres provide 24/7, free support to victims and recognise their wide-ranging needs, including medical, psychological, legal, investigation, and accommodation support and ensure the smooth community reintegration of victims as the latter should not be defined by their experience violence.
The government has also put in place a concept of safe shelter for GBV victims, which further expands the available protective options for victims and those at risk.
Finally, we are seeking justice for victims. The Rwanda Investigation Bureau – RIB and the legal sector in general are investing considerable resources to ensure that the perpetrators of GBV are dealt with appropriately. This includes using new technologies to detect, facilitate investigative processes and respond to emerging threats. In 2020 alone, the RIB investigated 12,715 cases of GBV.
The government recognises that a multi-sectorial approach is necessary to end gender-based violence in our society. The Government of Rwanda has taken decisive actions on this front and will continue to do so in the future to ensure that all residents are safe, can speak out freely against perpetrators and get justice on time. We will not stop until these goals are achieved.