Fight against domestic violence taken to refugee camps

Plan International, Rwanda, has committed to fight against domestic violence in refugee camps in Rwanda. This was announced during a refugee emergency response learning and sharing workshop in Kigali on Wednesday, that aimed to assess the achievements and look at areas of improvement across their programmes. “We are eager to develop Rwanda country disaster management strategy to build the capacity and resilience for communities we work with. We want to improve current responses and develop ways forward towards a more prepared disaster response mechanism,” said Marie Gladys Guerrier Archange, Plan International country director. She said besides fighting sexual gender-based violence, they would expand and look at other forms of violence. “We were only focusing on physical violence but we are also going to tackle emotional, psychosocial, child labour, human trafficking among other forms of violence,” she added. Seraphine Mukantabana, Minister for Disaster management and refugee affairs, commended Plan International’s refugee response. “We commend them for the job they have done in ensuring children protection and prevention of any form of abuse. We want them to do activities that impact the lives of refugees,” she said. “With their activities, children in Mahama camp are busy and are not wandering. Without these activities, children would go in Akagera River where crocodiles would kill them. We recognise the work they’ve been doing and we are committed to keep working with them.” Plan International constructed playgrounds for children and children friendly spaces where they come together and play. During the workshop, participants proposed ways to improve services and agreed to train community leaders and volunteers to fight violence in camps. Plan International is partnering with United Nations High Commission for Refugees to implement child protection and sexual gender-based violence prevention in the camps. It also conducts campaigns that involve drama and mobile cinema to engage refugees and mobilise them against violence. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Fight against domestic violence taken to refugee camps