UN pledges support to anti-GBV campaign

ONE-UN Rwanda has pledged support to a campaign that brings together African countries to combat violence against women and young girls, particularly in conflict situations.

The initiative, dubbed “Kigali International Conference Declaration (KICD)”, has plans that includes the construction of a permanent secretariat in Kigali.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Lamin M. Manneh, who doubles as the UN Development Programme representative in Kigali, pledged the support during a one-day KICD conference at Rwanda National Police headquarters in Kacyiru, last week.

The conference was attended by the Chairperson of KICD, Andre Ndayambaje, who is also the director-general of Burundi Police Force, and Rwanda Police chief IGP Emmanuel K. Gasana, among others. 

“Violence against women is a serious crime. It is important to discuss an ultimate solution,” Manneh said.

He said the initiative, launched by UN chief Ban Ki-moon in 2008, deserves the support of all. 

“We will be supporting KICD not only in organising events, but also in ensuring that it mobilises Africans to own this campaign. Though many African countries have signed up, there are still a few that still need to join us,” he added.

The UN support will also include capacity building initiatives such as Command Post Exercise.

KICD chairperson Ndayambaje said his mission to Rwanda was to help him interact, consult, assess  the work done by the Secretariat as well as discuss how to engage the member states in participating in the activities of KICD.

“I am also requesting partners to support KICD’s planned activities such that we can jointly end violence against women. As chairman, I will ensure that KICD succeeds in addressing Gender-Based Violence against women,” he said.

IGP Gasana said Rwanda is planning an important event to reshape policing by pursuing collective security. 

“We are trying to partner with all Africans and beyond to ensure that we end violence against women,”    Gasana said.

Participants were apprised on the Kigali International Conference Declaration, including a regional capacity workshop held in 2011, development of training manual on role of security in ending violence against women as well as ensuring that KICD secretariat is functional.