GATSIBO - A research conducted by the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) has indicated that Kayonza District has the most gender related crimes in the Eastern Province.

According to the research conducted between 2008 and 2009, Kayonza District recorded 827 gender-related crimes, followed by Bugesera District which registered 596 cases within the reporting period.

Of the 827 gender-related crimes, 563 were psychological violence, 32 sexual violence, 76 physical violence and 156 economic-related violence. 

Rwamagana District came third with 368 crimes followed by Ngoma District with 352.

Kirehe has the least number of crimes, with only 53 cases reported during the period of the study.

Addressing a meeting of heads of community policing in villages, national women’s council officials and other local leaders in Gatsibo District, Eugenie Kabagema, the GMO’s deputy chief called on all stakeholders in the country to work in a coordinated format when dealing with gender related crimes in the country.

During the presentation of the research findings, Kabagema said that since the GMO was initiated in 2008, there has been lack of coordination among different stakeholders engaged in fighting gender-related crimes.

"There are a number of NGOs and other organizations that fight gender based violence in a disorganized way. We need to draw up a coordinated effort that will enable us to curb this issue,” she said.

In a separate interview, Kabagema said that the research was conducted to highlight the level of gender-related crimes in the country and look for possible measures that can be taken to support gender parity in line with the country’s development.

Gatsibo District mayor, Anselme Rurangwa Majoro, said that gender related crimes have been on the rise in the district mainly due to consumption of illicit drugs but added that measures were in place to reduce the crimes.

Kabagema highlighted that lack of a reporting mechanism for gender-related cases as one of the main hindrances in fighting GBV.

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