RWANDA: GBV Cases On the Decline

Joint efforts by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, the National Police and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in fighting Gender Based Violence (GBV) are bearing fruit with the number of cases drastically going down.

This was revealed yesterday at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, to brief journalists on activities lined up for this year's "16 days of activism against gender based violence", that starts today.

The international annual event is meant to create awareness against gender based violence.

In Rwanda, the campaign will be launched in Gisagara District.

Jeanne d'arc Mujawamariya, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, noted that Rwanda has become a role model for African countries when it comes to fighting gender based violence.

She attributed the decline in GBV crimes to various efforts, including, media awareness campaigns, community policing and partnerships.

"Rwanda is one the few countries where you find the police and army fighting violence against women," Mujawamariya said.

Supt. Jean Nepo Mbonyumuvunyi, the Director of Judicial Affairs in the Rwanda National Police, revealed that 1,345 GBV cases were reported in 2010, compared to 2,033 in 2006.

At least 264 rape cases were reported this year, down from 403 in 2006.

According to a Police report in 2006, 35 women were reported to have been killed by their spouses, while only 16 women were killed between 2007 and 2009.

Maj. Marguerite Batamuriza, the head of gender in the RDF, said that her office had registered 627 domestic wrangles in the army.

In Rwanda, the 16 days of activism this year will be marked under the theme "Strengthen the collaboration of the security organs, population and other instances in ending all forms of violence against women."

The major activities that will be conducted during the 16 days include advocacy for victims of abuse, speeding up trial of abuse cases and sensitizing families to formalize their marriages.