The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Aloisea Inyumba, said that Rwanda’s success in combating Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a commitment by the security organs to deal with the vice.

Inyumba said this, Friday, while officially closing the meeting of African security organs in ending violence against women and girls.

"Security organs engaged in combating GBV, not only internally, but also in other countries that witnessed post-conflict situations. There is no doubt that security organs in the country are providing the leadership,” Inyumba said.

She commended the work by security agencies such as Rwanda National Police (RNP), Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) and the Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) in fighting GBV saying that "they are the most gender sensitive institutions in the country.”

The meeting dubbed ‘Africa Region Security Organs’ Capacity Building Workshop on Violence against Women and Girls; Prevention, Response and Peacekeeping’ was in the framework of implementing the Kigali international declaration on the role of security organs  in ending violence against women and girls held in October last year.

Inyumba appealed to participants, who include the 12 countries which are signatory to the Kigali declaration, to strengthen the capacity of security organs to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, both at home and in peacekeeping missions.

"This workshop contributes to the realization of the international gender equality and women rights commitments. For too long, instruments like UN resolution 1325, have been an advocacy tool, but for few institutions. It has not been systematically integrated into the policy and practice of security organs,” she noted, urging them to effectively implement the resolutions as a way of increasing women in peacekeeping activities.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1325/2000 is aimed at protecting women and girls during and after armed conflicts, and to fully involve females in conflict prevention, management and resolution, peace building and reconciliation

She stated that Rwanda remains firmly committed and will continue to play its role at national and international levels towards the implementation of the UN resolution 1325 through the key pillars of prevention, protection, participation and coordination among institutions.

 Among the recommendations of the meeting, was to adopt a multi-sectoral approach in addressing GBV, countries to formalize anti GBV strategic plans and that the Secretariat remains in Kigali.

Aurelien Agbenonci, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, commended Rwanda for her efforts in addressing GBV challenges which he said is a hindrance to human development.

He pledged UN’s support in ensuring a GBV free Rwanda and to also support the implementation of the Kigali declaration.

Ends