A delegation of seven women lawmakers from the Guinean Parliament yesterday visited Isange One Stop Centre at Kacyiru District Hospital, to learn from Rwanda’s model of fighting Gender Based Violence (GBV). At the centre, the delegation that is in the country for a one-week study tour, were received by the Director of Kigali Forensic Laboratory (KFL), Commissioner of Police (CP) Daniel Nyamwasa who told them in detail the different services offered at the centre. “Isange is a multidisciplinary and holistic approach that binds various institutions responsible for fighting and preventing GBV including the ministries of gender and family promotion, health and justice…the creation of Isange came as idea to harmonise efforts in handling cases of GBV which were scattered, costly and inconveniencing to victims,” Nyamwasa told the Guineans. “We have doctors, psychologists, social workers, judicial police officers and this helps a victim to acquire all the necessary services in one place and free of charge,” Nyamwasa said. “Where necessary, we accompany the victims back to their homes to make sure that they are fully reintegrated in their families because some of them sometimes feel rejected. We work with various entities on grassroots to ensure that they are fully rehabilitated,” he added Speaking after the visit, MP Djéné Sarah Kamara, the leader of delegation said; “We came to learn from Rwanda’s best practices in advancing rights of women and children, and fighting Gender Based Violence; we are impressed and inspired by the steps that Rwanda has taken so far. There is no doubt we will emulate this.” Isange, which started as a pilot project in 2009, has since been expanded to 28 other district hospitals across the country. It offers free medical, psycho-socio and legal services to victims of GBV and child abuse and has facilitated the public with easy means of communication with a toll-free line – 3029 – which has been essential in getting information from the affected for immediate response. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
