About 40 police officers, yesterday, completed a two-day training aimed at equipping them with skills to combat Gender Based Violence (GBV).

The training organised by the National Police, in conjunction with the Peace and Justice Commission of the Catholic Church (CEJP), at Kabuye Catholic Parish in Gasabo District, was officially opened on Tuesday, by the Commissioner General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana.

Among the trained officers were District Community Policing Liaison Officers and police officers in charge of fighting GBV.

Gasana who said that community policing is one of the measures adopted to prevent crime within communities, urged the officers to use the skills they gained to benefit all Rwandans.

"It is our view that this philosophy (Community Policing) is one of the pillars that will help Police to ensure peace and security and we (Police) are committed to combating GBV in the country,” Gasana noted.

He added that the planned International Conference on GBV due to take place in Kigali this month was one of the ways adopted to advocate for the role of RNP to end GBV.
"We are very serious on combating this crime,” said the Police boss.

"This workshop will enhance the ongoing programmes and also enhance security as an important factor if development has to take effect”.

Michael Quinn, the Coordinator of European Union/Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (EU/SCIAF) Programme to reduce the impact of sexual violence in Great Lakes region commended Rwanda for its strides to fight GBV.

The conference slated for October 26-27 is being organized by the Police in collaboration with the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) Gender Desk, and supported by UN Rwanda Chapter under its global campaign dubbed, "Say No – UNITE to End Violence against Women.”

The seven-year campaign is running since 2008 through 2015. "Rwanda is a live example in fighting GBV,” Quinn said, calling for all criminals in such acts to face justice.

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