On December 7th and 8th, 2022, Umuhuza Organisation in partnership with Bank of Kigali conducted a two-day campaign under ‘Wiceceka project’ that aimed to raise awareness on the prevention of gender-based violence by breaking the culture of silence. The campaign was held in Ruhango and Kinazi sectors.
The campaign was under the 16 days of Activism against gender-based violence agenda, which is observed every year from November 25 as the world observes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls until December 10 the day of international human right. The 16 days of activism against Gender based Violence was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership.
Globally, the theme was: “UNiTE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls” while at national level it is “UNITE! Build a Violence-Free Society”. In Ruhango, the campaign was under Wiceceka project, a 6-month project that aims to break the silence about Gender based violence and is being implemented by Umuhuza organization under the Bank of Kigali funds. The campaign was attended by security organs, local leaders, parents, students from Groupe Scolaire Nyarugenge and teen mothers. A total of 1560 community members including 1100 youth, were reached out during the campaign.
For the effectiveness of the campaign , Umuhuza organization conducted different activities such as producing a radio awareness publicity that was aired at Radio Rwanda, produced and distributed flyers to hundreds of people in Ruhango district. During the campaign, officials encouraged joint effort to end gender-based violence.
Remarks
The Manager of Bank of Kigali’s Ruhango Branch, Marine Kankindi
“We should avoid ‘keeping GBV a secret’ when our children are abused and report all the perpetrators that we know.Violence happens within families, and neighbours turn a blind eye which is unfortunate. More effort are needed to end GBV completely.”
Christian Shyaka, Program coordinator at Umuhuza Organisation
“ Children are most likely to be victims of violence if there is violence in their own families.There is a need to break the silence over GBV in our families, schools, and workplace and we all need to play our role in this. A society free from GBV should be a lifestyle.”
Alphonsine Mukangenzi, Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs in Ruhango
“ Families that have parents who drink uncontrollably are most likely to face GBV, especially women and children. We should not hide perpetrators as this hinders justice. We need to report them since that is the way to curb GBV.”
Head of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) in Ruhango District, Samuel Nzasabimana
“GBV is not handled through mediation, and that is why we shouldn’t stay silent and report wrongdoers,”
