EASTERN PROVINCE NGOMA district has launched a three- year strategic campaign to stem gender based violence. The strategic plan that runs from 2009 to 2011 was launched Wednesday by the district vice Mayor in-charge of Social Affairs, Josephine Mutesayire, expected to cost US $1, 266, 000. The campaign dubbed the “Ngoma District Capacity Project in implementing mechanisms to prevent and Respond to Violence against Women” will be funded by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and jointly coordinated by the Association for Research and Support to Community Groups (ARAMA) and the Association for Community Development through Communication (ADECCO). The new campaign will be implemented through various ways including forming and supporting women associations against Gender Based Violence (GBV), counselling and educating women about their rights and laws. The campaign projects that by the year 2011, gender based violence will be reduced by 35 percent. Since January 2007, about 217 violence cases against women (VAW) were registered in the district; according to a report compiled by the district and provincial authorities- putting Ngoma among the three districts in the country with high levels of gender based crimes. The same report showed that the Eastern Province still leads other provinces in the number of gender based crimes. Increased excessive drinking, tribalism, sexual dissatisfaction, little courtship period and ignorance of women of their rights were some of the factors blamed for the growing cases of gender based crimes in the district. The report also reveals that many women urge restraint when leaders and Police want to carry out punitive actions against their spouses found perpetuating violence. “Many women have stopped the punishing of their husbands after committing crimes against them (women) and these men have made it a habit to mistreat their wives,” the report partly reads. In a related development, the district also unveiled its website and a Database where cases of violence against women will be recorded from the village to the district to ensure proper keeping of records. The project is worth another $100,000. Meanwhile hundreds of residents from different parts of the district later in the afternoon marched to Cyasemakamba Stadium in Kibungo Sector denouncing violence against women, as the district celebrated the 10th International Human Rights Day. The demonstrators had posters with words like “Stop violence against women, let’s fight violence against women.” Addressing the protestors, Mutesayire, called on everyone to be part of the government’s commitment to stopping gender based violence. “Women too have their rights like other human beings and they should enjoy it, and together with you in this war we can succeed,” Mutesayire said. Ends
