Source: The New Times
Residents of Nyanza District in the Southern Province have been urged to join efforts to combat Gender Based Violence (GBV) and completely uproot the vice.

The call was made by the Vice president of the Senate, Jean D'Arc Gakuba, while officiating at an event to mark the fifth day of the six-day anti- BGV campaign.

Gakuba told the residents of Nyanza that development cannot be achieved amidst insecurity and instability within families.

She urged parents to educate their children on GBV issues and encourage them to report such cases when they ever occur.

Gakuba said that the week is a special occasion for Rwandans to reflect on the causes of GBV and unanimously declare war against it.

She called for more sensitisation on GBV effects especially at the grassroots level and urged residents to always communicate about such incidences so that perpetrators can be brought to justice.

The Senator asked gender stakeholders to assess the causes of Gender-based violence so that a perfect antidote can be designed.

"You should conduct research, analyse and observe the root cause of GBV in order to prescribe the right solutions to the problem," Gakuba said.

The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana noted that though the eradication of GBV is not an easy fight, it can, indeed, be won with concerted efforts from everyone.

"We have fought and triumphed several wars, including the liberation of Rwanda, fight against poverty, corruption and many more and so we are not about to give up on GBV," Gasana said.

He reminded the citizens that the primary role of the Police is to ensure that people living in Rwanda are safe and reassured and that it can only be achieved when GBV is wiped from the Rwandan society.

Rwanda National Police in collaboration with the Ministry of Health plan to extend the much-heralded Isange One-stop centre to various hospitals countrywide so that GBV victims can easily be helped.

Isange one stop centre was established in 2009 to offer medical, psychological and legal help to GBV victims.

IGP Gasana also recognised stakeholders' contribution in the fight against GBV urging them to keep up the momentum in the fight.

"We have made important strides in the fight against this problem but we have to keep on working towards its total eradication," Gasana said.

Rwanda is recognised globally by United Nations and other countries for its efforts in combating GBV. 

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