Kigali, 24 November 2017- The Government of Rwanda has launched the 16days of Activism against Violence under the theme ”End violence against women and girls: Speak out!” with a Walk to end violence that brought together senior government official, development partners and members of the civil society as well as a multitude of residents of Kigali City. This activity also took place in different parts of the country.

Addressing participants of the discussions that followed the walk, the President of the Senate, H.E MAKUZA Bernard said that ‘‘Gender Based Violence is a total disrespect of human rights and it delays the country’s development as victims are deprived their role and contribution in the national development. Prevention and eradication of all forms of violence should be everyone’s responsibility.’

He therefore saluted and encoraged the contribution of the youth in the fight against gender based violence; ”I have seen many young people today, they have actively participated at these activities. This gives us hope of a future generation of parents and leaders full of humanity and respect for others, who will make Rwanda a GBV free country.”

Speaking about this campaign, the Minister NYIRASAFARI Espérance, of Gender and Family Promotion informed that the officially launched campaign will focus on trying GBV and child abuse cases pending before courts; the identification of teen mothers who have not yet reported their cases to the Judicial Police and facilitating them to lodge complaints. In the same spirit of raising awareness  on the national legal frameworks on GBV, awareness on the Law on prevention and punishment of gender-based violence, and law governing persons and family as well as other relevant laws will be carried out in different parts of the country with full involvement of different actors.

The 16 days’ campaign against violence against women and girls was initiated as a global strategy by institutions, individuals and groups to call for the elimination of violence against women and girls. Its starting date and end date (25 November to 10 December 2017, every year) coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and International Human Right Day respectively.