The Gender Monitoring Office in collaboration with Southern province has recently concluded gender accountability dialogues in Nyaruguru and Gisagara districts that discussed the role of local leaders in promoting gender accountability and enhancing Gender Based Violence service delivery.

The dialogues were conducted with the support of UN WOMEN and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC

The dialogues were attended by the Governor of Southern Province Mrs Kayitesi Alice, Chief Gender Monitor, Mrs Umutoni Gatsinzi Nadine both Mayor of Gisagara Rutaburingoga Jerome and Dr Murwanashyaka Emmanuel of Nyaruguru, all Village leaders, Executive secretaries of cells, executive secretaries of sectors, district officials of Gisagara and Nyaruguru districts, Security and Justice Organs at district Level, non-governmental institutions as well as faith-based organizations.

The dialogues have allowed local leaders to share experiences in promoting gender equality and accountability in their respective communities. They particularly discussed effective ways to respond to GBV-related issues once they happen in their respective communities.

Local leaders committed to be accountable on gender equality promotion and fighting gender-based violence and committed to report GBV cases once they happen.

"We appreciate the Gender Monitoring Office's efforts in promoting gender accountability in our province through the gender accountability programme, we will keep our collaboration and include gender across all activities in all districts of the province," said Kayitesi Alice, Governor of Southern Province

The Chief Gender Monitor Umutoni Gatsinzi Nadine thanked local leaders the leadership of Gisagara and Nyamagabe districts and the leadership of Southern Province, for their commitment to promoting gender equality and fighting gender-based violence to ensure that men and women get equal rights and opportunities.

"We have introduced one gender-responsive village in every district of this province, we want to build a community where there is no gender-based violence or other type of injustices, local leaders are the ones to lead this journey,we want you to go together and achieve more together, " said Umutoni Gatsinzi Nadine , the Chief Gender Monitor