Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remains one of the most harmful forms of abuse affecting people’s well-being, family safety, and overall development. It refers to any act committed against an individual without their consent or through coercion, based on their gender. Such acts violate a person’s rights to bodily integrity, property, mental well-being, and overall dignity.
Sexual and gender-based violence can occur in homes, workplaces, schools, or any other setting. Rwanda’s laws strongly condemn these acts and place responsibility on everyone to prevent and report them.
Acts Considered as Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Law No. 59/2008 of 10/09/2008 clearly defines the behaviors that constitute SGBV. These include:
Forced sexual intercourse, including within marriage, it is prohibited for a spouse to force their partner into sexual intercourse without consent. This is a punishable criminal offense.
Coercion, threats, and intimidation. Anyone who compels another person into any act of sexual nature through threats, intimidation, or by denying them their rights, including employers misusing their authority at the workplace, commits a crime.
Violating a spouse’s rights this includes Adultery, polygamy, and infidelity that cause distress or violate the partner’s dignity, denying a spouse access to household property, preventing them from working or making decisions, Restricting their freedom due to bride price, physical traits, or reproductive reasons.
Violence against parents and young people
This includes expelling a girl from school because she is pregnant, dismissing a female employee due to pregnancy, Harassing or discriminating against parents on maternity or paternity leave.
Failure to rescue or provide testimony: Anyone who witnesses or is informed of Sexual and gender-based violence and refuses to help or report the case commits an offense.
Consequences of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Sexual and gender-based violence has severe and long-lasting impacts on survivors, families, and communities. Effects include Mental health issues such as depression, trauma, and chronic fear, Physical injuries and long-term health complications, Loss of security and trust within families, Reduced performance at work or school, Increased risks of disease and mortality, Family breakdown, separation, or divorce. Legal Penalties Under Rwandan Law Rwandan law protects the rights of all individuals and imposes strict penalties on perpetrators:
Sexual and gender-based violence committed by an employer against an employee punished by Imprisonment of 2–5 years, Fine of 100,000 – 200,000 Rwandan francs.
Sexual and gender-based violence committed against a person with a disability punished with Imprisonment of 10–15 years, Fine of 500,000 – 1,000,000 Rwandan francs.
Failure to rescue or provide testimony: Imprisonment: 6 months – 2 years, Fine: 50,000 – 200,000 Rwandan francs, Or one of the two penalties
False accusation of Sexual and gender-based violence Anyone who falsely accuses another person commits a crime punishable under criminal law for false allegations.
Survivors of Sexual and gender-based violence also have the right to seek compensation for damages. How to Prevent Sexual and gender-based violence and Support the Fight Against It? Firstly, know your rights and the laws that protect you, report any cases of Sexual and gender-based violence to local authorities, RIB, or the Police, Encourage open communication within families and workplaces, protect children and teach them early about their rights, if you are responsible for a child, ensure their safety at all times, always intervene or report when you witness violence
A collective responsibility: Sexual and gender-based violence is not a private matter it is a national concern. Ending it requires joint effort from families, parents, schools, workers, employers, and all leadership institutions.