RWANDA: UN Governing Bodies Visit Police Gender Desk and Survivor Centre in Rwanda

Twenty diplomats representing the governing boards of UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and the World Food Programme visited the Rwanda National Police Gender Desk and the ISANGE One Stop Centre for Survivors of Child, Domestic and Gender-Based Violence in Kigali on 24 March. The leader of the delegation, Mauritanian Ambassador Abderrahim Ould Hadrami, commended the Rwanda National Police on its successful work against gender-based violence.

UNIFEM supported the establishment of the Gender Desk at Rwanda National Police Headquarters in 2005, to provide prevention, rapid response and psychosocial support to survivors of gender-based violence. To date, with support from UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UNIFEM, gender focal points have been trained in 96 police stations around the country, and access to services for survivors of gender-based violence has increased through a toll-free hotline, special interviewing rooms and awareness campaigns.

During the visit, the Rwandan Police Commissioner, General Emmanuel Gasana, stressed the importance of an integrated approach to prevent, fight and respond to violence: “The coordinated support of partners, including the United Nations in Rwanda, has allowed us to develop institutionalized response mechanisms, and has not only raised awareness and knowledge on gender equality and gender-based violence in communities, but also among the Police itself.” Rwanda already shares experience and expertise from the Gender Desk with other countries in the region.

After visiting the Police Headquarters Gender Desk, the delegation proceeded to the facilities of the ISANGE One Stop Centre for Survivors of Child, Domestic and Gender-Based Violence in the Kacyiru Police Hospital. Supported by UNFPA, UNICEF and UNIFEM, the centre is the first of its kind in Rwanda, providing medical, psychosocial, investigation and legal assistance to survivors of violence. Since its opening in July 2009, it has assisted more than 500 women, men and children. Another centre, built on this model, will be opened shortly in Rusizi District in western Rwanda.

The visits took place during an eight-day mission of the Executive Boards of UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and WFP to Rwanda to witness how the UN Delivering as One pilot initiative operates and delivers results for Rwandan citizens.

"This mission of the Executive Boards gives us a unique possibility to boost our work and share our successes and lessons learned," said Aurelien Agbenonci, UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda. UNIFEM representative Rose Rwabuhihi added: “Delivering as One allows us at UNIFEM and other UN agencies to put our strengths together in order to jointly advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment. The Rwanda National Police provides an excellent example of how a national institution can achieve significant progress and sustainable results in preventing, fighting and responding to gender-based violence.”

Photo: UNIFEM/Bill McCarthy