The Rwanda National Police has launched a countrywide awareness against gender based violence (GBV) to further engage Rwandans in the campaign against the vice.
The official launch of the campaign conducted in partnership with Global Fund was held on December 22 Rwamagana District.
Police says that although gender violence incidences are on decline, there is still gap in public’s role to combat the vice.
Curbing Gender based violence in Rwanda was one of the key issues discussed at the just- concluded annual national dialogue known as ‘Umushyikirano’ this December and communities were asked to collaboratively work together as a way of building Rwandan family values and an end to gender based violence.
Local leaders like Erick Butera, in charge of Social Affairs in Rurenge sector in Ngoma district says that these crimes can prevented by reporting them to the nearest authorities and breaking the silence.
During the national dialogue, the Minister of Justice, Johnson Busingye has said that the ministry is reviewing the penal code to have stringent punishment for Rwandans who use and sell illicit drugs and those who abuse women and children.
The Minister said that the bill will be sent to the cabinet for approval by January 2015 and the reason for stringent punishments, is to serve as an example for the people who are still involved in these activities, of which government has called for an end to them.
“We are now reviewing changes in the penal code. We cannot keep talking about it without action. We think that there is need to have laws that can be used stringently so that others can learn from one example,” Johnston Busingye said.
