Focus Media (Kigali)
Sam Ruburika
10 January 2009
Despite the fact that Rwanda is one of the most gender-equal countries when it comes to official positions, gender-based violence is still a big problem. One of the most appalling statistics in this respect is that, according to a recent police report, every six hours a woman is raped.
It was in this regard that the police, in conjunction with pro-women organizations, have organized a sixteen-day long campaign against gender-based violence, under the theme Women rights and humanity.
The objective of the campaign was to engage both men and boys in the eradication of gender-based violence, and promote active engagement of police and the army in the process. It consisted mainly of countrywide conferences and sensitization sessions.
According to Shirley Randall, the senior advisor of education at the Netherlands Development Agency (SNV), the two weeks were an opportunity to sensitize and provide support to women who have been victims of violence.
She further pointed out that in the past women have been the easy targets for gender-based violence and that the community has stigmatized them. She therefore welcomed the support by the police which has opened a special office that which deals with such cases.
Therese Bishagara, the chairwoman of the women's association Profemme Twesehamwe, called on both men and women to get involved, adding that there should be more discussion with all the members of the society so as to have a common ground on the importance of combating gender-based violence.
"There should be discussions with children, mothers, fathers, as well as teenagers, so as to get everyone involved," Bishagara said.
She also stressed the important role religious denominations can play in sensitizing their congregations on the adverse effects of gender- based violence on women as well as the community in general.
Three cases per day
The UN residence coordinator in Rwanda, Aurelien Agbenoncim, pointed out that women often belong to vulnerable groups of people living below the poverty line or infected with HIV/AIDS, and are the prime target of sexual and gender-based violence.
"It's shaming that the level of gender-based violence is increasing," Agbenonci said.
He however praised the national police for what he called the fantastic job in tackling gender-based violence cases, adding that the increased reporting of such cases was good although it is also an indication of the extent of the crisis which requires immediate action.
In Niboye sector, in Kicukiro district, three gender-based violence cases are reported every day. According to Beatrice Nzaramba, in charge of gender affairs at the sector, men tend to beat women in a way that leaves no visible bruises, and that women tend not to report on the basis of "Nikozubakwa," meaning "that is how a family is maintained."
She recounted the heartbreaking story of a 14-year-old housekeeper raped by her boss, and who was subsequently fired when she was found to be pregnant. She became traumatized, and rejected the baby after giving birth. The girl is now undergoing counseling.
Nzaramba also pointed to the effect of such violence on children, citing cases of kids getting into drugs to forget what takes place in their homes.
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