RWANDA'S 2019 INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY OBSERVANCE CO-HOSTED BY THE RWANDA MINISTRY OF GENDER AND FAMILY PROMOTION AND RWANDA MEN'S RESOURCE CENTER

e nation of Rwanda ushered in its observance of International Men’s Day with a conference co-hosted by the Rwanda Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion and Rwanda Men’s Resource Center (RWAMREC) (www.rwamrec.org)  on Tuesday, 19 November 2019.   Convened at Rwanda’s Kigali Serena Hotel, the observance was attended by over 200 people at which the issues of child defilement were discussed.  All levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and representatives from the news media gathered to hear the opening remarks delivered by Her Excellency Ambassador Soline Niyirahabimana, the Minister of Rwanda’s Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion.  In her remarks,   Ambassador Niyirahabimana reminded participants of the conference that defilement is not condoned and not a part of Rwandan culture and urged all present to “fight together as  a community to end child defilement”.  Through the presentation made by The Honorable Alfred Karekezi, Family Promotion and Child Rights Advisor to Rwanda’s Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, participants at the conference learned that from Calendar Year 2016 through Calendar Year 2019, only 2,000 of the reported 7,000 cases of child defilement received justice.  In a panel discussion which included a representative from Rwanda Men’s Resource Center, the National Commission for Children (NCC), Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and a Youth Volunteer Coordinator, the issues of child defilement were explored. Panelists attributed abuse as an underlying cause for teenage pregnancy, the rise of alcoholism, and lifelong p\sychological pain.  The conference highlighted the need toeducate society on the importance of ending sexual violence against children. A number of suggestions were offered:

·         The shaming and stigma that victims of sexual abuse experience must end

·         Families must be supported and educated and also must realize that sexual abuse victims need love and support and should not be considered outcast and be blamed for what happened to them.

·         An environment must be created which allows victims of sexual abuse to feel safe to report the abuse they have experienced

·         Society must adhere to a zero-tolerance policy on child abuse

           Utilization of Rwandan law to seek justice for victims of child abuse.

·         Mobilization of allies to collaborate in seeking justice for victims of child abuse and enforcing punishment of perpetrators of child abuse 

·         Educating religious leaders so that they can have a positive impact on Men and families by offering support and mentorship 

·         All sectors of government and civil society must work together and tackle the issue of child abuse using multiple approaches 

·         Changing our mindset – even if girls do not get pregnant as a result of sexual attacks, the psychological scars will last them a lifetime