SENSITIZATION CAMPAIGN ON THE LAWS PREVENTING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
On October 18, 2018, YWCA Rwanda in collaboration with OXFAM, and Rulindo District, and around 850 community members from Cyungo Sector, participated in a sensitization campaign on the laws that prevent and punish gender-based violence. This campaign was held alongside the celebrations for both International Rural Women’s Day and The Journey of the Young Girl in Rulindo District to optimize the number of participants in the area.
Cyungo Sector is very heavily afflicted with Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which made this an ideal area for this campaign. The facilitator started discussions of the topic off with recognizing the crucial role that women and girls play in ensuring the sustainability of rural households and communities, and improving rural livelihoods and overall wellbeing. Despite women being so integral in these communities, they are often subject to GBV. Women talked about different types of violence they face like, psychological, emotional, sexual and economical violence. The facilitator then informed them of the laws that protect them and the rights that they have regarding these issues.
The Vice Mayor in her remarks stressed that the campaign will continue to positively impact the community. She also sensitized the participants about the importance of obtaining medical insurance, so that they can be protected against sickness, the importance of family planning, avoiding poor food, and of cleanliness to prevent prevents HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
Following the speeches was the awarding of the most vulnerable woman in the community. The Sector gave her food and chairs for empowering her economically, and to integrate her in the community by giving her house materials. At the end of it all, the Master of Ceremonies, invited a dance group, who came from a neighboring sector, to entertain all the participants.
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