The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolee Uwimana, has called for collective action across all sectors to create families free from gender-based violence (GBV) as Rwanda marks the start of the global 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.
Speaking during a dialogue to launch the campaign in Kigali on Monday, November 25, Uwimana emphasized the need for meaningful cooperation under the national theme, “All for GBV-Free Families.”
“As we launch the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence today, we call for collective cooperation. Government institutions, civil society and private organizations, and partners must unite to eliminate GBV. We cannot achieve a GBV-free society without working together,” she said.
The Minister highlighted Rwanda’s progress in addressing GBV since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi but acknowledged persistent challenges.
“After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the Rwandan community faced severe repercussions. Gender-based violence often overlaps with other societal issues, including domestic violence, unplanned births, and the misuse of family resources,” she said.
Uwimana pointed out that these challenges disproportionately impact children, leading to issues such as homelessness, malnutrition, school dropouts, and drug abuse.
She also identified misconceptions about gender equality as a barrier to eliminating GBV.
“Some individuals still misunderstand the concept of gender equality, using it as an excuse to perpetuate violence,” she said.
Sexual violence against children remains a significant concern, she added, noting its psychological and social impacts. “A significant number of children experience sexual violence, even if it does not result in pregnancy,” Uwimana said.
Despite the progress made, Uwimana acknowledged gaps in preventive measures and urged society to prioritize reporting GBV cases to enable timely interventions. “While much is being done to tackle GBV, prevention efforts are still insufficient. The costs of addressing the effects of GBV are far higher than investing in prevention,” she noted.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign observed from November 25 to December 10, aimed at raising awareness and advocating for the elimination of violence against women and girls.
In Rwanda, the campaign provides a platform for government, civil society, and private organizations to collaborate on empowering families and building safer, more resilient communities.
