UN pledges more support to police in fighting GBV

KIGALI - A visiting delegation from the United Nations yesterday commended the job done by the Rwanda National Police (RNP) in the fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (GBV), and pledged more support. The delegation, consisting of representatives from the governing boards of the UN which is in country to assess how One-UN reforms have delivered in various areas of the economy, noted that Rwanda’s success model of tackling GBV could make it a case study for other regional countries. Speaking to the press shortly after touring the Isange One Stop Centre which handles GBV cases inside the police Hospital in Kacyiru, the leader of the high-level delegation, Ambassador Abderrahim Ould Hadrami, said that ‘the UN is impressed and the message will be delivered’ to those who sent them. The UN Resident Coordinator, Aurelién Agbenonći, said that the centre which has been set up in conjunction with UN agencies including UNIFEM and UNDP has exhibited value for money because it has greatly contributed to the fight against GBV. “We are satisfied with what has been achieved already, the effect is already there on the ground because cases of GBV have been greatly reduced, much as we know that we still have more work to do for the service to reach each person,” “I know that every dollar spent here, the effect goes beyond one dollar. Today the people don’t fear the police like it was in the past. They know the police are there to protect them as they enjoy the peace that exists,” Agbenonći said. The Commissioner General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana, commended the UN for its commitment towards setting up the Gender Desk which has contributed to a dramatic decline of GBV cases and Isange One Stop Centre which has greatly helped the force to treat, counsel and restore hope among the victims of GBV. “Gender Based Violence has been categorised as a security issue and it falls under the police mandate. The Gender Desk was established in 2005 with the support of UNIFEM and other organisations have since come on board,” “The support and intervention of One UN has been instrumental in moving forward the initiatives to fight GBV and we are grateful for this. The police are committed to this fight,” Gasana said. Gasana requested the UN to engage more by offering full training courses to the Rwandan police inline with dealing with GBV, especially now that the Police force is being called up for peacekeeping missions in areas of conflict where GBV cases are very high. On the other hand, Agbenonći said that the UN will continue cooperation with the Rwandan police to develop other focal points around the country for the service to reach all people, adding that one stop centre which is one of the best could be turned into a regional or sub regional centre for other countries to learn from. Among other areas of focus by the delegation include good governance, economy, agriculture, judiciary, empowerment of women and gender balance among other things. According to the police, GBV is a serious life-threatening issue, especially for women and children, and managing it requires appropriate and comprehensive protection mechanisms. Ends