Spousal Violence among Married Women Climbed by 6%, says New Report

By George Kalisa

New report in Rwanda hugely blames the increase in domestic violence on the mindset grounded in men that there is nothing wrong with beating a woman guilty of wrong doing. The survey indicates that 65 per cent of women and 39 per cent of men still uphold such a mindset.

Addressing the different custodians of law including ministers, senators and members of the Civil Society  on the current trends of domestic violence January13, Dr Jeannette Bayisenge, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) her government is committed to stamp out domestic violence that manifests in emotional, physical and sexual domestic violence.

The government and stakeholders convened during a Senate plenary hearing mainly to seek measures to eradicate domestic violence that they described as a “serious problem”.

“These are all concerning trends that need to be addressed so all Rwandan families can live in peace, and we are working towards solving these issues right from the community level,” observed Bayisenge.

Dr. Bayisenge underlined defilement, harassment, polygamy and physical assault as main forms of domestic violence according to Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey 2019/2020 final report on domestic violence, the 2019-2020.

Murder of spouses and children I households also still exists, says report.

“We are engaging all leaders and stakeholders right from the community level to deal with this situation in order for all Rwandan families to live in peace,” said the Minister.

At least 46 per cent of ever-married women and 18 per cent of ever-married men faced spousal physical, sexual, or emotional violence, adds the report.

While the prevalence of spousal violence among ever married women climbed to 46 per cent in 2019/2020 up from 40 per cent in 2014/2015.

Boniface Rucagu representing the Rwandan Elders Advisory Forum urged culprits of crimes related to domestic violence under the guise of culture to reform and appreciate equality of all Rwandans regardless of their gender.

The Executive Secretary of Rwanda Psychological Society, Ms Chaste Uwihoreye said that only last year, there 576 suicide cases across the country 28 per cent of them trace to domestic violence.

Uwihoreye suggested taking counselling programmes to victims, households and communities as one of the measures to curb domestic violence.