The global campaign against Gender Based Violence, dubbed 16 Days of Activism, was launched in Kigali yesterday, with focus on bringing awareness to the kind of violence women and girls face, especially in urban areas.
The global campaign against Gender Based Violence, dubbed 16 Days of Activism, was launched in Kigali yesterday, with focus on bringing awareness to the kind of violence women and girls face, especially in urban areas.
Held annually, the campaign starts on November 25, the International day for the elimination of violence against women, and ends on December 10, the Human Rights Day.
This year, the day started with a march from Rwanda Development Board offices to Petit Stade in Remera and was capped by a singing competition, dubbed Sing Yes to Kigali Safe City.
"Globally, women and girls, are prone to dangers within the urban setting, and such violence takes place on the streets, in public transport systems, and homes,” said Lamin Manneh, the UN Resident Coordinator.
He added: "They are exposed to sexual abuse ranging from harassment to rape. This greatly affects their freedom to go about their daily business.”
He called for the empowerment of adolescent girls and boys as agents of change in promoting gender equality, which he said will help ensure a safe city, free from gender violence.
Manneh commended Rwanda’s progress toward eliminating the vice, while promoting equality in all sectors of development.
"Rwanda has proven to be a pioneer in the area of security, safety, as well as in promotion of gender equality,” he said.
Gender-based violence is violence directed at an individual based on their sex, gender identity, or perceived adherence to socially defined norms of masculinity and femininity.
According to figures from Police, anti-GBV and child protection directorate, a total of 3,127 cases of defilement were registered between 2012 and 2013 in the country. At least 325 cases of rape were also recorded in the same period.
The Minister for Gender and Family Promotion, Oda Gasinzigwa, said the city council and urban centre leaders (where majority of the cases are reported), would continue to fight against gender violence.
"We strongly condemn violence against women and girls. The government will continue to work hard to curb gender based violence.”
"We have sustainable security in our city and the entire nation. We are bound to do anything against GBV and sexual violence,” Gasinzigwa said.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, UN Women, the UNHATE Foundation, and the City of Kigali.