Kigali, 19 June 2026 – As part of the nationwide campaign to prevent and combat child defilement, running from 25 May to 30 June 2026, the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), in collaboration with the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and development partners, conducted a series of community outreach activities in Rulindo and Musanze districts. The campaign focused on strengthening child protection, promoting positive parenting, and building resilient and safe families.

During the three-day outreach, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Hon. Consolée Uwimana, officially launched the BANDEBEREHO Programme in Rulindo District. Implemented by RWAMREC in partnership with MIGEPROF and other stakeholders, the programme promotes positive masculinities by encouraging men to champion gender equality, support maternal and child health, practice responsible fatherhood, prevent gender-based violence, and foster healthy family relationships. 

The Minister also joined an Inteko y'Abaturage (Citizens' Forum) in Tumba Sector, where she urged parents to instill positive values in their children, provide age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health education, and ensure children remain in school to reduce their vulnerability to abuse. She called on young people to avoid risky behaviours, including alcohol and drug abuse, and encouraged communities to promptly report suspected cases of child abuse, preserve evidence, and seek services at the nearest Isange One Stop Centre. Local leaders were urged to strengthen community-based mechanisms for preventing and responding to violence against children.

In Musanze District, Minister Uwimana met with district officials to review progress in promoting family welfare and discuss strategies to prevent child defilement and teenage pregnancy. The meeting resolved to strengthen efforts to reduce school dropout and child streetism, expand sexual and reproductive health education for adolescents, intensify public awareness campaigns on child protection, and ensure effective follow-up of reported child defilement cases. 

The Minister also visited GS Kampanga in Kinigi Sector, where she encouraged students to protect themselves from sexual exploitation, remain vigilant against abuse, and report any incidents without fear.

Minister also joined  a live RBA Hafi Yawe programme in Kinigi, bringing together government officials and parents to discuss positive parenting and the shared responsibility of protecting children. The Minister emphasized that while parents, caregivers, and teachers have the primary responsibility for raising children, safeguarding children's well-being requires the commitment of the entire community. 

The outreach concluded by engaging hotel and lodge owners, restaurant and bar operators, school administrators, health service providers, pharmacists, and motorcycle and bicycle transport operators, urging them to prevent child exploitation in their workplaces, report suspicious activities, and refrain from facilitating or concealing abuse. The outreach reaffirmed the Government of Rwanda's commitment to protecting children through coordinated action involving public institutions, communities, families, the private sector, and development partners.