KIGALI - The Rwanda National Police (RNP) has trained their Burundian counterparts on how they can effectively combat Gender Based Violence (GBV) and apply community policing techniques in fighting crime.

A two-day training organized by the Burundi National Police and supported by German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) was held in the latter’s capital, Bujumbura, recently.

Inspector of Police, Belline Mukamana, the head of the Gender Desk in RNP, explained to the trainees the role and experience of the desk and Isange One-Stop Centre in response to Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV), and how this has led to the reduction of GBV cases by over 60 percent in the past five years.

The One Stop Centre is based at the Police Hospital in Kacyiru and offers a variety of services to SGBV victims, including treatment, counseling and assisting in the investigations of perpatrators.

CSP Damas Gatare, the head of community policing, told the participants the role and experience of his department in the prevention and fight against GBV and how effectively it has combated crime. 

The training, which also focused on the gravity, causes and consequences of GBV, police interventions at the crime scene and other topics, brought together 17 Burundi Provincial Police Commanders.

While officially closing the workshop, Gen Gervais Ndirakobuca, Burundi’s Deputy Director General of Police, commended the efforts made by Rwanda in fighting SGBV and requested RNP support in the field of Community Policing and the establishment of Gender Desks in Burundi.

Among the recommendations of the training, was that GBV be taken as a security issue by Burundian police, and vigorous sensitization by the trained officers on GBV dangers in their respective provinces of operation.

They also agreed to fully implement the laws related to GBV cases, enhance community policing, especially in regard to ending GBV.

Ndirakobuca requested for further collaboration with RNP in creating a free crime community in both countries.

Ends