Editor,

LAST week, media reports highlighted a case whereby a man in Kirehe District chopped off his spouse’s arm in a domestic wrangle.

Her ‘crime’ was that she had asked for money to clear health insurance dues for their son. It was very sad indeed. This kind of archaic and crude behaviour should not be tolerated in our society today. No man has the right to maim a spouse. We have the local authorities and the church, if you like, where family conflicts can be reported and resolved amicably. Gender based violence has often been attributed to issues of property which is unacceptable. People who sign up for joint ownership of property must uphold that oath. True, some women do not feature a lot in the accumulation of property but that is not an excuse. All people should ensure that Rwandan women are safe.

Police should work hand in hand with local leaders to completely stamp out GBV by stepping up sensitisation campaigns on the dangers of GBV. Rwanda has built a reputation for attaching great value to women. This should be reflected in all forms. The Rwanda National Police won accolades for setting up the Isange One Stop centre and a gender desk to specifically deal with all kinds of gender-based violence. This should be regularly assessed in order to ensure that it has the desired impact. Women should support each other to stem the vice. I hope the culprit is brought to book.

Leila Mukagashema

Gasabo