Teachers and staff representing different schools owned by Catholic Church in Kigali archdiocese have been urged to play upper role in preventing Gender Based Violence and ensure effective service delivery to its victims. The call was made on yesterday during the closing of the two days workshop that gathered 246 representatives of 123 catholic schools in Kigali Archdiocese. The workshop with teachers aimed to enhance GBV Prevention and response in all catholic owned schools, strengthen timely collaboration, information sharing, safeguarding of the evidence and reporting of the GBV. It also aimed to promote the establishment of accountability mechanisms to prevent and respond to GBV incidents as well as mobilising catholic schools on the support of teen mothers in schools and their socio-economic reintegration. In her closing remarks, the Deputy Chief Gender Monitor Mukandasira Caritas said that the Catholic Church as an institution has played a vital role in improving lives of community members, both male and female and the momentum has to prevail. She further called on teachers to maintain Rwandan values in order to keep delivering to their contribution of education Rwanda’s next generations.  A good teacher ‘‘A good teacher is the one who serves as a role model for the society, particular young generation.We have to ensure our reputation towards this is not stained,’’ she said. During the two days workshop participants discussed on their contribution in preventing all forms of Gender Based Violence and mechanisms to help achieve this goal. Participants were urged to use existing clubs and other internal forums in order to disseminate information regarding how to fight against GBV, especially teenage pregnancies in their respective schools and in the Rwandan society in general.  Commitment Participants also committed to establish accountability mechanisms towards eradicating GBV in their schools, advocating for the establishment of girls’ room and GBV clubs where they are not.
‘‘This training is a reminder to me and each one of us that our contribution in fighting GBV is highly needed. We have to ensure that our voice towards fighting all forms of Gender Based Violence is heard,’’ said one of the teacher who attend the training. The workshop that started on Monday 7 May and ended on Tuesday 8 May 2018 follows other workshops with catholic churches and Leaders of Faith Based Organisation conducted by the Gender Monitoring Office in the framework of its engagement with religious institutions to secure their contribution to better position accountability to gender equality in their interventions. Also Read: <link http: gmo.gov.rw external-link-new-window external link in new>GMO and Religious Leaders Hold a retreat on Accountability to Gender Equality and GBV service Delivery
<link http: gmo.gov.rw external-link-new-window external link in new>The Catholic Church Pledged Support and Partnership to Fight Gender Based Violence.