Statistics from the Rwanda National Police show that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) was on the rise between March and June in districts of Eastern Province.According to the report, at least 235 rape cases and 64 GBV cases were registered from March to June in all districts in the province.Ngoma and Rwamagana districts had the biggest number of the cases. Eastern Regional Police Commander, Chief Supt Eric Mutsinzi, said even though the cases were not alarming they were persistent, adding that most GBV cases were influenced by other crimes. “Cases of child rape and battery of women affect our society. Collective efforts are needed for everyone to check even the minimum cases of GBV. Domestic violence is born in homes and it is from homes that we should get the solutions,” Mutsinzi said.“There are different types of gender-based violence at family or community levels. Domestic violence, which typically occurs when a man beats his spouse, is the most prevalent form of violence. It occurs within the families and inside the homes,” he said.Nehemie Uwimana, the mayor of Rwamagana, one of the districts mostly affected by GBV, said efforts were being made to check the problem. “We listed all households with a history of conflict so that they may be sensitised to live peacefully or come up with any other solution, even if it requires the extreme like separation, where it is established the union is irreconcilably broken,” said the mayor. He said in some families, conflicts brew silently until they develop into full-scale violence before concerned officials are alerted.
