The notion of gender equality is commonly misinterpreted as a women’s aspect thus resulting to more cases of sexual gender based violence in rural areas of Rwanda, such as Gicumbi district.
In a bid to educate residents on this aspect of Gender and prevent Gender Based violence (GBV), the government of Rwanda established The Gender Monitoring Office (GMO).
Joseph Rwibasira, an official of GMO said that Gicumbi residents need to be educated on the concept of gender as an aspect for both men and women.
He said that the gender office will start a major sensitization campaign in homes and organize trainings for families and hold public debates gender- so as to educate the Gicumbi community.
He also noted that research findings on the cases and faces of GBV in the area will be very important in setting up strategies of curbing down such abuses in the community.
Edouard Twagirayezu, the district official in-charge of Gender and family development, acknowleged that the aspect of gender is misconceived by many residents.
The district officials also highlighted the outcomes of a research on the concept of family laws. They noted that the article on inheritance of property for married couple was not very clear.
