Women urged to report cases of GBV

HUYE – Women in Huye district have been urged to report cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and any other forms of violence, instead of suffering in silence. The call was made during the celebrations to mark International Women’s Day in Simbi Sector. Different speakers reiterated the need to enforce the laws protecting women, especially those on GBV which is still prevalent in different parts of the district. “Laws have been put in place to protect the rights of women and men but they need to be enforced if they are to have meaning to the people who are being abused,” said MP Winifried Niyitegeka. She called upon women in the district to seek antennal care as a way of reducing maternal mortality. Commenting on the theme of this year’s celebrations: ‘Equal Rights, Opportunities: Progress for all’, Gloriose Uwamwezi, the president of the National Council for Women in the district noted that the country’s constitution guarantees the rights of women like any other citizens. She said that other organs like the office of the Ombudsman and the Human Rights Commission have been put in place to ensure that these rights are not violated. “We have also been guaranteed 30 percent representation at all decision making levels. The onus now lies on us to take advantage of all these provisions for development,” said Uwamwezi. Outstanding women achievers from different sectors of the district were also recognised for being role models to other women in the district. Aurelia Gahongayire, of Mbazi sector, was the most exemplary woman in the district and second in the country. She was given a certificate of recognition and a cheque of Rwf300,000. Through her different agricultural activities, she was able to help many other women out of poverty. She was also able to start making contribution to the Social Security Fund of Rwanda in preparation for her retirement. “I am greatly honoured by this recognition,” said a beaming Gahongayire. “This should act as an encouragement to other women; it shows that we too can achieve great things in society.” Ends