Rwanda National Police (RNP) has reinforced its countrywide awareness programme against crimes with special focus on the youth in schools, casual workers and the working class among others. On June 18, the Commissioner for Community Policing, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Damas Gatare alongside ACP Francis Nkwaya, the Southern Regional Police Commander, met with over 840 youth drawn from different parts of the country and currently undertaking civic education in a youth camp at University of Rwanda in Huye District. The youth were urged to take a lead in crime prevention. In his address to the youths, Gatare said; “As a nation, we have achieved a lot in as far as ensuring security and safety, people of Rwanda are safe, happy and living in harmony. “However, we all have a mandate of ensuring that the security we enjoy today is preserved and strengthened, that’s why your role as the youth is very crucial.” He outlined drug abuse, child abuse, gender based violence and human trafficking as high impact crimes they should give focus. Nkwaya reminded the youth that they constitute a bigger percentage of the Rwandan population meaning they can influence a change in the society. “You have the ability to fight these crimes and influence a positive change in your communities. RNP will always be around to work with you and respond whenever you suspect or witness a crime and inform the police,” said Nkwaya. Elsewhere, a similar awareness campaign was held in Ngoma District where Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Rose Muhisoni sensitized about 2,000 students from seven schools, commercial motorcyclists, cyclists and members of youth volunteers in community policing. Muhisoni also dwelt most on the need to protect children’s rights and how youths can contribute to fighting any form of abuse directed to children. “If children are raised in a house with drug and alcohol issues, it is more likely they will have drug and alcohol related problems in their future. If they are raised in an abusive house, there is a likelihood that it may affect their personality and process of growing up,” she said. She also spoke at length about the role of women and youth in social development. One of the students of IPRC East, Jacqueline Mukarugamba, who is also a member of “Urumuri Womens Club” at the college, thanked Rwanda National Police for the knowledge they acquired and rallied her male colleagues to sign up for the HeforShe campaign. HeForShe is a global solidarity movement introduced by UN Women to engage men and boys in removing social and cultural barriers that prohibit women and girls from achieving their full potential. The campaign mobilizes individual men and boys to pledge their support for gender equality and women’s empowerment by signing up to the campaign online. It also creates impact by driving change from the highest levels of government, private sector and academia by identifying Impact Champions within these sectors.
