SUDAN/RWANDA: 90 Female Police Officers Off to Darfur

Kigali — The Commissioner General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana, yesterday met a contingent of female police officers who are soon to be deployed on the United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and challenged them to raise the image of the country and act professionally while on the mission.

92 female police officers, the first of its kind in Africa, was selected as advisors on Gender Based Violence in the war torn Darfur and to provide protection to children.

They will also teach the local police in Darfur how to handle children and female criminals, work within Internally Displaced Camps and help in the introduction of GBV desk in the area.

While addressing a contingent at the force's headquarters in Kacyiru, Gasana urged them to exercise the good police profession and discipline to accomplish their duties.

"When you combine all these, you will do your duties well, the national flag will continue to be raised high, and you should struggle to raise it (flag) even higher," Gasana noted.

"What we (police) achieved is because of the positive values, doctrine, discipline and the profession the force has demonstrated, which is what we expect of you during your tour of duty," he added.

He urged them work hand-in-hand with forces from other countries and to gain more experience which will in turn help to enhance gender mainstreaming in Rwanda.

"The national police now have pride, hope and it's respected, which is why the UN requested us to give a hand in bringing peace in Darfur.

Rwanda, he said is in support of gender mainstreaming in peace operations "and that's why we are providing female police officers."

He said that this support is in line with UN Resolution 1325 which advocates for gender mainstreaming in all activities and ending violence against women.