Health Development Initiative-Rwanda (HDI), a non-profit organization based in Kigali, has started an anti-Gender based violence (GBV) campaign in Nyagatare District.Local leaders across the district completed a two day workshop, in which they were given tools and knowledge to combat GBV.Josephine Kamarebe, HDI program manager told The Sunday Times that HDI was committed to building sustainable anti GBV programs in communities.She noted that HDI professional health care providers would empower grassroots leaders to better educate and serve their communities.“Through educating grassroots leaders, we expect to improve the general awareness of gender equality. GBV in Nyagatare and Bugesera Districts is the highest in the country,” she said.Celestin Munyangabo, the Executive Secretary of Rwimiyiga sector reiterated the need to emphasize the importance of the campaign in rural communities.He attributed the abuse of children through early marriages to ignorance and materialistic tendencies of some parents.“Ignorance and materialistic tendencies are responsible for early child marriages. When parents send a young girl into marriage, they get many cows as dowry and fines. It is unfortunate that some parents are still motivated by such backward thoughts,” he said.Patrick Kamuhanda, a resident of Rwempasha sector explained that the campaign should offer a holistic approach.He lamented that most anti GBV campaigns cater for the cause of women only.“GBV affects men too, but some campaigns tend to focus more on women forgetting that men too, are abused in homes. I am happy that HDI admits that men are battered and forced out of homes just like women. So, any campaign should always focus on all sides,” he said.HDI was founded in 2005 to organize and promote community-based health care development in Rwanda.
