Experts on gender from law enforcement agencies and other concerned institutions in the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) bloc, are meeting in Kigali to harness measures against violence faced by women and children.
The two-day training started on Saturday, January 25, at the Regional Centre of Excellence on GBV and Child Abuse at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters, Kacyiru.
It is held under the theme: “Women participation and effective law enforcement response to violence against women and children.”
The workshop is one of the side sub-committee meetings to be held ahead of the 26th EAPCCO Annual General Assembly, which starts on January 29, in Kigali.
Specifically, the training for the Gender Sub-committee aims to enhance capacities of officers in gender mainstreaming initiatives and gender based violence management for better prevention and response.
Col (rtd) Jeannot Ruhunga, the Secretary General for Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), while opening the workshop, said that violence against women and children, a global concern, is “unacceptable behavior and crime.”
He reiterated that the workshop signifies the regional commitment to fostering gender equality and empowering law enforcers to respond to the scourge, effectively.
A report by the UN indicates that at least five women and girls are killed globally every hour, by a member of the family.
“Violence against women and children is not just a personal issue; it is a societal epidemic that affects us all. Each statistic represents a life disrupted, a safety compromised, and a future dimmed. It is our responsibility to take action and develop effective strategies to combat this grave issue,” said Ruhunga.
Dez Byamukama, the Country acting Director for World Vision International, emphasized that every child deserves to grow up free from harm, fear and neglect.
He called for shared values and principles in safeguarding them, and making it a moral obligation as it is the duty under the law.
In the next two days, participants will endeavour to collectively understand gender perspectives and policy frameworks, safeguarding and protecting children, and how better to integrate community perspectives into security and law enforcement responses. (End)