RWAMAGANA - Eighteen associations fighting against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Kayonza, Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts, Eastern province have been rewarded for work done in the past six months. All these associations operate under the AJEPRODHO Jijukirwa, a youth project that advocates for the fight against GBV. The associations working in 10 sectors of the three districts were given money totaling to Rwf1.5m and the best association among these, Jijuka Association from Rukara Sector in Kayonza was given Rwf 125,000. These associations are mainly made up of former perpetrators and victims of GBV in the area the project works from. Associations were formed to create awareness and restore peace in families. Ajprodho Jijukirwa project coordinator, Denise Amahirwe on Monday said that associations have done a great job in changing the mindset of the families that had for long lived in conflict. “There has been a big change, some families that had separated while others had lived in persistent conflicts all these have since reconciled,” Amahirwe said. All the associations were awarded according to their ranking, with a difference of Frw5000 in between with the last association receiving Frw40, 000. According to Amahirwe, positions were based on how associations run their activities; like the number of cases received, how they handle the cases and collaboration of these associations with local authorities. She added that apart from the daily duties of creating awareness, the associations presented drama on GBV, which was also considered in awarding the marks. Ajprodho Jijukirwa is one of the projects run by AJPRODHO, a youth human rights organization in the Eastern Province. Among the activities carried out under the project is creating awareness about the impact of GBV, visiting families, networking at district level with all partners involved in fighting GBV. Amahirwe pointed out that with peace in the families, people are able to do developmental activities and come out of poverty. The money given to the associations will facilitate them in transport costs while sensitization and also putting up income generating activities. Ejide Gasana said that he used to beat his wife and children under the influence of alcohol which resulted into them abandoning him but courtesy of the project, they have since reunited and are now living together. Ends
