Rwanda National Police, the Ministry of Gender and family promotion as well as other stakeholders have been on a six-day Anti- Gender Based Violence campaign that reached all corners of the country.

The Campaign dubbed "let’s all join the fight against GBV” aimed at increasing awareness of the vice and coming up with preventive measures. The six-day drive kicked off with the launch of the anti-GBV block at the Police headquarters which was established to specifically address GBV issues including child protection initiatives.

It was characterized by marches, placing anti-GBV stickers on vehicles, poems and musical performances all aimed at sensitization of the scourge.

The key message at the launch of the campaign focused on collaboration between public, police and all stakeholders in the fight against the vice.

"Efforts to combat GBV should not be left to Police and the army. It should be a collective responsibility involving all Rwandans,” Aloysie Inyumba, the Minister Of Gender And Family Promotion, said.

In the past, the role had somehow been left to police, which in 2002 established a family and protection unit that was transformed into a gender desk as its responsibilities went beyond family issues.

However, to effectively offer comprehensive services and ensure a holistic approach to the fight against the scourge, GBV directorate was established.

Today, the public is being called upon to double efforts in combating and preventing GBV incidences by reporting any attempts to the authorities. The establishment of community policing committees is one way the public has been involved.

They operate at grassroots level and play a crime watch role where they report criminal incidences to the police. Nevertheless, everyone’s role in the community is required if GBV is to be a thing of the past.

Rwandans have been called upon to emulate the zero tolerance on corruption and apply it to eradicate GBV.

"We have the potential to turn the situation around just as we have done with corruption,” Agnes Binagwaho, the minister of health told Rubavu residents during the anti-GBV campaign.

Jena d’Arc Gakuba, the vice president of the Senate, called for more sensitization on the GBV effects at the grassroots level and called for continued efforts to find the cause of GBV and design solutions.

"You should do research, analyze and observe the root cause of GBV in order to prescribe the right solutions,” Gakuba told stakeholders.

The Minister of Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harelimana, and the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture also communicated similar messages to Rwandans during the six-day Anti-GBV campaign.
 
GBV has had horrible effects on the Rwanda society. Children have been infected with HIV/Aids, increased school drop outs, child defilement, trauma, family break ups and murder, among many others. All these effects have tarnished the Rwandan societal values.

Statistics show that in 2010 alone there were 1654 cases of child defilement, 324 of rape and 522 of physical abuse. There is a perception that men are always the perpetrators in committing crimes of violence, however statistics proved this wrong. For instance last year alone, 8 women murdered their husbands.

"This is war. We have fought many struggles including the liberation of the country, war on poverty, corruption and so GBV is not an exception and we will be triumphant,” the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana, told Musanze residents.

Gasana reminded Musanze residents that it is Police duty to ensure that people living in Rwanda and their properties are safe. He noted that its mandate cannot be achieved until GBV is completely eradicated.

In a bid to ensure that the campaign is countrywide and involves everyone, schools, and religious denominations were also urged to play their part in the struggle against GBV.

In addition to taking part in the six-day anti-GBV campaign, students have set up anti-GBV clubs through which they get to know their rights and what to do if they fall victim of violence.

A student from GSMK Apace School, Sylvia Kabagwira, observed that anti-GBV clubs have been very effectual in schools. 

"Through these clubs, we are learning more of our rights and know exactly what to do when they are violated. When our parents or neighbours are abused or become victims of violence, I can be of help through calling the toll free lines or reporting to the different concerned authorities,” Kabagwira.

As the anti-GBV winds up, communities have been responsive and agree that GBV not only affects the individuals but also families as well as the Rwanda society in general.

"Indeed GBV is a cause of worry in our society. The drama we have just watched evoke what take place in our homes and it is really sad to live such a life,” an emotionally overwhelmed Marceline Gaju, a resident of Nyanza, said.

Another resident, Damascene Habimanana, angrily retorted that police should actually enforce tougher laws to punish perpetrators.

The anti-GBV campaign is expected to contribute significantly to change of mindset where Rwandans will freely report GBV incidences so that perpetrators are punished. It is also expected to encourage the breach of culture and promote openness regarding GBV issues.

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