Analysis On the Implementation of Gender-Based Violence Prevention Measures by Local Authorities in Rwanda: A Case of Gasabo District

Abstract

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) persists as a growing problem for families and societies around the world either in developing and developed countries (Bradshaw & Fordham, 2013). GBV affects different areas of human development including the capacity to participate in leadership, economic and social development and it contributes to psychological trauma with its long-term consequences and all this leading to hamper national development (Bhuvanendra & Holmes, 2014). The purpose of this study was to analyze the implementation of Gender-Based Violence prevention measures from the point of view of local authorities in the Gasabo district. The specific objective that guided this study were: to explore factors associated with the perpetration of Gender Based Violence in Gasabo District, to analyze gender-based violence prevention strategies undertaken by decentralized local entities in Gasabo District, to identify challenges related to the implementation of actions aimed at GBV prevention in Gasabo District. The target population were the Local leaders in Gasabo District at sectors and cells level, the interview was also extended to the key informants in GBV. The sample size was four sectors of Gasabo (Kimironko; Remera, Kinyinya and Ndera). They were purposively selected because they have a large population and the highest rates of GBV among others. The purposively selected sample was 25 respondents including (4 local leaders at the sector level, 17 cells leaders and 4 key informants). A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect the data, and a thematic approach was used to analyze the collected data while a textual model was used to present the findings. The findings of this study indicated psychological violence, physical violence, socio economic violence, sexual violence was revealed as the main forms of violence commonly seen in Gasabo District whereas, socialization process, alcoholism, poverty, wrong interpretation of gender role, infidelity within partners and adultery were found to be the major cause of GBV in Gasabo District. Social transformative approach, social ecological model, discussions, sensitizations, redefinition of social norms, training and educating ishuti z’ umuryango, legal assistance, counselling; mediation, provision of income generation project, mobile clinic or health services advocacy and lobbying were revealed as the prevention measures taken by local leaders to prevent GBV. In addition to this, rigid mind set or resistance to change, inadequate funds, silence of GBV victims and low collaboration among local leaders were identified as problems associated with GBV prevention in Gasabo District. The study recommends the government of Rwanda to increase support in form of trainings and resources are given to local leaders in the area of gender-based violence prevention activities.