Women meet MPs over GBV

Women from across the country met members of Parliament on Wednesday to discuss Gender Based Violence and how to eliminate it from the country. During their meeting the women pointed out that limited knowledge about the laws has contributed to GBV. “We still fear to report some cases of GBV because we are not so sure about the kind of protection given to us by the law,” said Agnes Mukandekezi, from Nyaruguru District. She added that government should consider having an officer at least at the sector level specifically charged with solving gender-related issues. Mukandekezi is among the women selected across the country for a consultative meeting with the lawmakers. Organized by ActionAid Rwanda, the visit aimed at linking the women to lawmakers to learn about laws that protect them. Addressing the media, ActionAid Country Director, Josephine Irene Uwamariya, said that the move is part of the on-going 16 Days of Activism on GBV. “We want to make sure that the women representatives get information direct from those who make the laws and this will help them to report firsthand information to those they represent,” Uwamariya said. She promised that her organization would continue linking the two parties. Responding to the concern, the president of the Forum for Women Parliamentarians (FFWP), Alphonsine Mukarugema, said that parliamentarians will do all in their means to promote and create awareness campaigns about the laws. “As women we shall use our effort especially being involved in decision making bodies to advocate for sensitization campaigns about this particular law,” Mukarugema said. grace.mugoya@newtimes.co.rw

National

Women meet MPs over GBV