Hundreds of believers from various religious denominations in the country, yesterday held an anti Gender Based Violence (GBV) demonstration as they joined the National Police in the fight against the vice.

Led by top clerics; Mufti Saleh Habimana and pastor Antoine Rutayisire, the demonstration started from the ministerial offices in Kacyiru and ended at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters, also in Kacyiru.

The demonstration is part of the National Police’s GBV week which kicked off Tuesday as the force continues its celebrations that started four weeks ago to mark its 10th anniversary.

Kigali City Mayor, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, called upon the clergy to preach against GBV, especially domestic violence and child abuse, which she said, are the crimes most registered.

"Rwanda got its independence but the struggle continues against GBV. Consult your souls on what you have done to make ours a better country. Let’s all join hands for the development of the country.” Kirabo said.

She observed that Kigali City tops other provinces in the country in registering high cases of GBV and added that it is mostly attributed to drug abuse

The Commissioner General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana, who described the fight against GBV as a ‘tough war’ appealed to the clergy to join the police in the fight against all sorts of crimes which would hinder the country’s development.
The event was also attended by Oda Gasinzigwa, the head of the Gender Monitoring Office.

Pastor Rutayisire observed that "GBV is promoted by spiritual emptiness, self serving leadership, poverty and illiteracy.”

"As Godly people, there is a lot we can do to change the society and there is potential to eradicate GBV in this country. GBV is a problem we should all wake up against without considering which denomination we belong to.”

He called for partnership of all denominations with the national police in building a crime free community.

"What hurts man hurts God, because man was created in God’s image. Fighting GBV should not only be a duty of the police,” said the pastor.

The occasion was graced by praises and songs from the renowned local choirs, Rehoboth Ministry and Asaph Choir from Restoration and Zion Temple Churches respectively.

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