Rwanda joined the world on November 25 to launch the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (from 25th Nov-10th Dec), emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to  capacitate communities to strive for GBV-free families.

To launch it, the high-level event, held in Kigali, brought together government leaders, dignitaries, representatives from UN agencies, international NGOs, and other stakeholders under the theme “Building GBV-Free Families.”

The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolée Uwimana, called for united efforts across all sectors to address the root causes of GBV.

“As we launch the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence today, we call for collective cooperation. Government institutions, civil society, private organisations, and our partners must unite to eliminate GBV. We cannot achieve a GBV-free society without working together,” Minister Uwimana stated.

The Minister underscored Rwanda’s significant achievements in combating GBV since 1994 after the Genocide against the Tutsi, but acknowledged that challenges persist. These include societal misconceptions about gender equality and the compounding effects of GBV with issues such as domestic violence, unplanned births, lack of skills on positive parenting and the misuse of family resources.

She urged all Rwandans to take responsibility for reporting GBV incidents to ensure timely and effective interventions. “Every citizen has a role to play. By reporting GBV, we contribute to the safety and well-being of our families and communities,” she added.

This year’s campaign launch set the stage for impactful dialogues and initiatives, with stakeholders committing to address the persistent challenges and foster safer, more inclusive communities.