by Irene U. Zirimwabagabo, Communications Officer (UNIFEM Central Africa Regional Office)
On November 25PthP, Rwandan leaders, gender advocates, the police and women from local civil society organizations joined together in a candlelight vigil to mark the opening of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. The candle-light vigil, led by the Minister in Charge of Gender and Family Promotion, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, the President of the Forum for Rwandan Parliamentarians, and the UNIFEM Regional Program Director, was a symbolic act to commemorate the women who have been victims of violence in Rwanda this year. Participants gathered at the round-about in front of the Prime Minister's office, lit candles and pinned "prevent violence against women" badges to their lapels as they walked in unison around the traffic circle and into the Prime Minister's gardens. UNIFEM is the women’s fund at the United Nations. It provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programmes and strategies to foster women’s empowerment and gender equality.
In her remarks to those assembled, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mary Gahonzire, highlighted the progress that the Gender Based Violence Desk at the National Police headquarters is making in preventing and responding rapidly to violence against women. She called attention to two challenges facing the police in their work: the culture of silence in families and communities that leads to the "double victimization" as women and girls endure the attack as well as quiet settlements within families, and the time delays in addressing reports filed to the Police.
The day before, the New Times in Kigali carried a message from the Rwandan National Police highlighting the extent and nature of GBV in Rwanda and to sensitize readers to steps they can take to mitigate GBV in their communities. The following is an excerpt from the statement:
"[...] Gender Based Violence is critical human rights, health and general development issue affecting different categories of people rich and poor, educated and uneducated, rural and urban and the young and the old. Gender based violence however based on repotted cases to police is more targeted towards women and children. This is due to the unequal power gender relations between men and women and adults and the children. [...]"
The statement centered on sections included sections dealing with what constitutes GBV, what resources are available from the police to respond to incidents of GBV (hotline, free medical services, legal assistance, etc.), how institutions can address GBV, and what local leadership can do. The statement included the following guidance for the public:
What else can the done to prevent and respond to GBV by the public?
v Speak out and give evidence of what you saw or heard about GBV crimes
v Support the victim by providing required assistance and information about appropriate available services.
v Parents keep care of the children and avoid putting them in risky situations
v Parents should openly discuss with children about sex and sexuality
v Each individual to respect other peoples rights without gender based discrimination.
v Each individual to be a GBV activist using every available opportunity
v Have the zeal and make effort to be informed about different existing laws in relation to gender equality and children's rights.
v Be neighbors and your family eye for security than a risk for insecurity or a non - concerned member of the community.
[...] With the above conceited effort we shall achieve our vision to have a society free of Gender based violence for security and sustainable development. Gender Based Violence is a human rights issue not a private domestic matter as it used to be culturally misconceived.
