Mukansonera Consolée and Mukawera Speciose, residents of Nyarugenge Sector in Bugesera District, received bicycles as awards in recognition of their contribution to the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). They promised local authorities that they will continue to work with even greater commitment in raising awareness and mobilizing communities to prevent and address GBV within families.
The award ceremony took place on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, during the launch of the district-level GBV prevention and response campaign held in Nyarugenge Sector.
Mukansonera Consolée, one of the award recipients, thanked the authorities for the bicycle and reaffirmed her commitment to intensifying community sensitization.
She said, “I am grateful to live in a country that cares about us. As volunteers working to prevent GBV, we receive victims especially children support them throughout the process of accessing justice and medical care, and accompany them when they reintegrate into their families. It is work we do with passion.”
She added, “I received this bicycle with great joy. It will help me with daily activities such as taking care of the cow, fetching water, and running home errands. My child will also use it to go to the market or even to school.”
Her colleague, Mukawera Speciose from Rugasa Village in Ngenda Cell, also received a bicycle. She said, “In our village, I monitor cases of child abuse and quickly report them to local leaders who take action. I am happy with the bicycle I received, and it motivates me to intensify GBV prevention efforts across the entire cell, especially now that I have means of transport.”
Member of Parliament Veneranda Uwamariya, who joined Nyarugenge residents for the event, thanked the awardees and encouraged them to continue pushing the campaign further.
She said, “We urge you to strengthen collaboration in fighting GBV that still exists in families, address its consequences, and work together to adopt measures that prevent and eliminate it as we build strong and safe families.”
In Bugesera District, the launch of the GBV prevention and response campaign was marked by recognizing outstanding community members who contribute to GBV prevention. Some received bicycles, while others were given small livestock in each sector.
Gender-Based Violence refers to any act that harms a person physically, psychologically, or sexually, or denies them access to property because of their gender. Such actions violate a person’s rights and have negative consequences. GBV can occur within households or in the community.
