Source: AllAfrica
Different countries have taken measures and promulgated laws to fight violence against women and girls, but it is time to ensure they are put in practice and effective.

That was the message delivered on Monday in Kigali at the opening of the command post exercise "Africa Unite" for security organs from 37 African countries aimed at improving and harmonizing approaches to end violence against women and girls.

Under the theme 'Ending violence against women and girls' the exercise will be an occasion to share experiences concerning measures and regulations used by different countries in this respect. RDF chief of defense staff gen. Patrick Nyamvumba said violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a global phenomenon which is a violation of human rights and a major problem since it is committed both in war and peace situations.

"Violence against women and girls is used as a weapon of war as happened in Rwanda in 1994 and in Yugoslavia," he said.

The coordinator of the exercise, commissioner Jean Bosco Kabera, said that during the five days of the meeting, different countries will show how they practically fight against gender-based violence, with Rwanda presenting the Isange one-stop center. "We will show them how Isange center, which provides free medical, legal and psychosocial services to the victims, so that other countries can adopt some of our ideas, and vice versa," he said. "Isange can be a model for other countries, with a view to holistically respond to the threat of VAWG in conflict, post-conflict situations and home settings."

Kabera said that although there are laws protecting women and girls, there are still challenges including ignorance of their rights and reluctance to speak in case of violence. This makes it difficult to eliminate it.

According to police statistics, 3200 cases of GBV have been recorded last year and most of them were violence against minors.

• Rwanda