Zanzibar MPs commend Isange One Stop Centre

A delegation of five parliamentarians from Zanzibar, on June 8, visited Isange One Stop Centre at Kacyiru police hospital and appreciated the achievements registered by the centre as far as addressing Gender Based Violence (GBV) and child abuse is concerned.

The delegation is in the country for a three-day study tour aimed at learning best practices from Rwanda.

Mgeni Hassan, the head of delegation commended Rwanda National Police (RNP) for its significant efforts in addressing GBV issues by providing timely and cost-free medical and psychological needs to victims.

“We came here to learn from what the center has achieved. We are very impressed with the manner in which a GBV case is responded to and how victims are treated. This should be a model to other African states on how to handle GBV cases,” said Mgeni.

She further noted that the experience offered by Isange One Stop Centre will undoubtedly help a great deal to effectively and efficiently help victims of GBV and thus cement Rwanda’s position as a leading champion of gender equality and empowerment.

Mgeni also appreciated the manner in which RNP works closely with its partners and the public in particular, to respond to GBV issues in the country.

“This is a very good example and I think other countries have a very big lesson they can learn from Rwanda. GBV is a serious issue that needs concerted efforts from different players. What is being done in Rwanda is amazing. We shall ensure that we propose this to our government,” said Mgeni.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Shafiga Murebwayire, the Coordinator of Isange One Stop Centre at Kacyiru Police Hospital, briefed the delegation on the services offered at the Centre, which include medical and legal services, as well as psychological treatment to victims in a confidential and safe manner.

The delegation later visited the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion and Kigali Memorial Centre to pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Established in July 2009, at the Police Hospital in Kacyiru, Isange One Stop Centre currently operates in 16 District Hospitals countrywide.

Plans are underway to increase the number of these centers to 44 hospitals by the end of this yea