Women urged to seek positions of leadership to fight GBV

Participants in the GBV meeting

African women have been urged to seek for to seek for leadership positions so that they are able to influence policies and campaigns.
The advice was given by Therese Karugwiza of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the ongoing continental Command Post Exercise (CPX) code-named “Africa Unite”, campaign to end violence against women and Girls 2013.
The meeting also discussed legal tools in place to fight the crime said violence against women and girls which is an internationally recognized crime and punishable by international laws.
In her address, Karugwiza encouraged participants to share best ideas and experiences. Participants also discussed obstacles and all possible challenges encountered by officers.
The workshop, which will last for five days, is organized by Rwanda National Police, Rwanda Defense Forces and the Rwanda Correction Services.
Participants, who are comprised of heads of security organs from 38 African countries, are training and discussing mechanisms of ending violence against women and girls on the continent.
While addressing participants at the opening on Monday, Chief of the Defense Staff (CDS) Gen. Patrick Nyanvumba said violence against women and girls is still a challenge to security organs and one of the solutions is collective intervention. He emphasized how violence and crimes against women and girls are still weapons used in conflict areas.
A total of 172 participants from 54 African countries, who include security personnel and participants from Governmental and Non Governmental Organizations, are attending the event.