Rwanda commits to ending GBV in refugee camps

THE government of Rwanda will continue to make efforts aimed at eliminating gender-based violence (GBV) and other forms of violence in refugee camps as a way of ensuring refugee safety and welfare, the Minister for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, Seraphine Mukantabana, has said. Mukantabana was speaking on Thursday after inaugurating multi-functional buildings in Kigeme and Mugombwa refugee camps respectively in Nyamagabe and Gisagara districts in the Southern Province. Such facilities have also been built in other camps. While at Kigeme refugee settlement, Mukantabana inaugurated a building, dubbed Turi Kumwe Centre that houses a Police post as well as migration and camp management offices. The second structure is a “One-stop Centre” dedicated to the prevention and fight against gender-based violence and assistance to GBV victims. A Turi Kumwe Centre was also inaugurated in the recently created Mugombwa camp which is home to over 7300 Congolese refugees. While addressing refugees in both camps, Mukantabana said government and its partners will continue working hard to guarantee GBV-free camps and rid them of any sort of violence. She said refugee safety and security remains a key pledge that the government will continue to champion. “We will do whatever is in our capacity to guarantee your safety,” she told the refugees. Mukantabana said the set up of infrastructures dedicated to the prevention and fight against gender-based violence in refugee camps is a testimony of the importance attached to tackling the vice. “Drawing from the experience we got from Gihembe camp where the first facility was established last year, we have started observing a trend of positive change in reducing GBV, domestic crimes and other forms of violence in the camp,” Mukantabana said. She, however, reminded the refugees that their role in preventing gender-based violence and eradicating other security threats within their community remains vital. “The congestion in refugee camps is one of the causes of insecurity. Thus, all efforts to cater for the welfare of refugees are futile if security is not effectively maintained within refugee communities,” she observed. “That means that your contribution in security management of the camp and violence prevention is still a must,” she told them. Police, Commissioner of Police Bruce Munyambo described the infrastructures as “campaign tools” to fight GBV and other crimes. “We are committed to ensure that refugees and residents live in harmony without any threat,” CP Munyambo pledged. “We will use these facilities properly to the benefits of all refugees and residents.” Rwanda is home to over 73,000 refugees living in five various camps with figures indicating that women strongly outnumber men. Gender-based Violence is ranked among the key problems facing refugees, according to officials.

National

Rwanda commits to ending GBV in refugee camps