Fatshimétrie: Capacity building of police officers to combat gender-based violence and protect children
In an ongoing effort to strengthen the capacities of law enforcement in preventing and combating gender-based violence (GBV) and protecting children, a large-scale training session was successfully held in Beni, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Organized by the Gender and Child Protection Coordination Unit of the Congolese National Police, in collaboration with the MONUSCO police, this training session lasted ten days and brought together police officers and managers. The main objective of this training was to strengthen the knowledge and skills of police officers in the reception and care of victims of sexual violence and children affected by conflict.
At the end of this intensive training, which ended with a written test assessing the participants’ level of learning, the benefits are already palpable. Sarah Zuena, a police officer who took part in this session, testifies to the importance of the new knowledge acquired. She emphasizes that the skills acquired will allow her to provide better assistance to victims. In particular, she emphasizes the importance of a specific approach in handling cases of sexual violence against children, thus highlighting the crucial aspect of child protection.
Chief Superintendent Léon Punzu, squadron leader of the child protection police in Oicha, also expressed his satisfaction with the potential impact of this training on the fight against sexual violence within the community. He emphasizes that the application of the new concepts taught during the session will contribute significantly to the prevention of sexual violence, by emphasizing in particular the importance of avoiding amicable arrangements and not tolerating transactional fines in cases of sexual violence.
The closing ceremony of this training was marked by the presence of local authorities and officials of the Congolese national police, thus highlighting the collective commitment to the fight against gender-based violence and child protection.
In conclusion, this initiative to strengthen the capacities of police officers in the fight against gender-based violence and child protection is an important step towards creating a safer and more protective environment for the most vulnerable in society. The commitment of law enforcement in this essential fight demonstrates the common desire to combat human rights violations and promote a more just and inclusive society for all.