New chief gender monitor to fight GBV, poverty

Rwandans have been urged to desist from all forms of discrimination based on sex.

Friday, June 14, 2013
Rwabuhihi (R) is congratulated by Minister Gasinzigwa as Chief Justice Rugege looks on. Saturday Times/ John Mbanda.

Rwandans have been urged to desist from all forms of discrimination based on sex.The call was made by the new Chief Gender Monitor, Rose Rwabuhihi during a swearing in ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Kigali."Everyone’s rights have to be respected and protected regardless of their sex,” Rwabuhihi said on Thursday.Rwabuhihi replaces Odda Gasinzigwa, who was appointed  Minister of Gender and Family Promotion early this year.Rwabuhihi also pledged to step up efforts to tackle gender related issues. "We will focus on eradicating gender-based violence and poverty among women,” she said.During the ceremony, Chief Justice Prof Sam Rugege said though Rwanda has scored highly in matters concerning compliance to gender principles, there was still more to do."Basing on the complaints lodged to courts and to the Office of Ombudsman, it is evident that there are still husbands who want to have absolute rights on family property, at the expense of their wives,” he said.  "Another example is when a wife is deprived of the entire household property after the death  of the husband, despite the clear laws on succession defining the wife’s rights on property.”These, according to Rugege, are some issues you and your team should tackle.