Esperance Umurerwa never imagined that the man she had built a family with would become a source of fear. For the 32-year-old mother of two from Karongi District in Western Province, the abuse began gradually, starting with verbal insults before escalating into repeated physical violence. The episodes were often triggered by minor disagreements, financial stress, or her partner’s frequent alcohol consumption, each argument quickly spiralling into insults and beatings. What began shortly after the birth of her first child continued for five years, intensifying over time and leaving her living in constant fear. ALSO READ: Unmasking the silent pain of gender-based violence For a long time, she endured the abuse in silence, believing it was a private family matter and fearing stigma from her community. Her turning point came after a severe assault left her unable to tend to her farm or carry out daily work for several days, forcing her to seek help at an Isange One Stop Centre. “I did not report it at first. I didn’t know where to go or who to tell. Everyone kept saying it was a private family matter and should be resolved by the two of us. I thought I had to endure it. People told me marriage is about patience,” she said. “I suffered silently, but the abuse grew from words to physical assaults. My children and the household started feeling the impact, as my husband would come home drunk and attack me over minor disagreements we could have resolved through talking.” ALSO READ: Rwanda moves to combat tech-facilitated GBV At the Isange One Stop Centre, Umurerwa received medical care, counselling and legal guidance, services she did not even know existed. “I heard about Isange from a university student, a neighbour who had returned home for the holidays. At first, I worried about how society would see me, how I would be judged. But once I arrived, I realised I was not alone. There were many women like me, some younger, some older, all carrying the same fear and silence.” Today, Umurerwa is rebuilding her life and encourages other survivors to seek help early. “Violence does not start with physical abuse. It starts when society teaches you to tolerate harm,” she said. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s multi-faceted approach to combat GBV Reported cases of gender-based violence (GBV) rose from 19,168 in 2019 to 26,385 in 2024, an increase of 38 per cent, according to data from Isange One Stop Centres compiled in the 2025 Statistical Yearbook. Across all years, women account for the overwhelming majority of survivors. In 2024, over 21,600 of the reported cases involved women and girls, compared to about 3,200 males. This pattern remained consistent since 2019, underlining the deeply gendered nature of violence in Rwanda, as in many societies. Physical violence continues to dominate reported cases, but sexual violence remains persistently high, with more than 12,900 sexual violence cases recorded in 2024, up from 10,820 in 2019. Consolée Uwimana, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, said that the rising number of cases reflects growing awareness among Rwandans about the importance of reporting abuse. “These figures do not necessarily reflect an increase in violence; rather, they show that people are becoming more aware of the importance of speaking out instead of remaining silent when they experience abuse,” said Uwimana. She explained that the Isange One Stop Centre provide comprehensive services to survivors. “Victims are first given psychosocial support, including a safe space to rest and recover, especially if they are traumatised. For those who have experienced sexual violence, the centres offer medical services, including testing to ensure they have not contracted infections, and preventative treatment when needed.” Survivors are also counselled and supported to help them return to their daily lives safely and with dignity, ensuring their physical and emotional recovery is prioritised, she said. Evariste Murwanashyaka, the Programmes Manager and National Child Rights Monitor at Rwanda Civil Society Platform (CLADHO), attributes the rise in reported GBV cases to a complex mix of social change, harmful norms, substance abuse and improved reporting mechanisms. Misunderstandings around gender equality remain a key driver of conflict at household level, particularly where shifting power dynamics are poorly understood, he said. “When the country started mobilising citizens on gender equality, there was confusion among some couples. Some men felt their authority was being challenged, while some women interpreted empowerment as dominance. That imbalance has fuelled family conflicts linked to GBV,” Murwanashyaka said. He added that drug and alcohol abuse, economic stress and deeply rooted gender norms that portray men as inherently superior continue to exacerbate violence within families and communities. Weak accountability at the community level, he added, indirectly sustains abuse by normalising violence. “When perpetrators face no consequences, it sends a dangerous message to others, reinforcing the belief that committing violence carries little or no risk. In some cases, community members prioritise providing support to raise a child resulting from teenage pregnancy rather than pursuing justice against the perpetrator, a response that, while well-intentioned, can further entrench impunity and send the wrong message about accountability.” Murwanashyaka pointed to increased awareness and access to reporting mechanisms as a significant factor behind the rising figures, stressing that higher numbers do not necessarily mean violence is increasing at the same rate. “There has been massive mobilisation encouraging survivors to report, especially with the presence of Isange One Stop Centres at community level. This has made it easier for victims to come forward, which contributes to the higher numbers we are seeing,” he said, adding that men remain less likely to report abuse due to stigma. CLADHO supports survivors through legal representation and economic empowerment programmes, particularly for victims of sexual violence and teenage pregnancy. “We also help survivors rebuild their lives economically by supporting income-generating activities. Economic independence is critical in breaking the cycle of violence,” he said.
