The increasing cases of gender-based violence among child refugees in Rwanda has raised concern on efforts by government and non-governmental organisations on finding new ways to stop the crime in refugee camps.

Plan International Rwanda, a UNHCR partner charged with child protection in the current refugee emergency response programme has revealed that most of the children in camps face physical abuse and there has been silence over the incidences.

For example, from April to December 2015, Plan International handled 681 child protection cases from DR Congo refugee camps and 199 from Burundian refugee camps, with most of these cases being physical violence in refugee homes.

Making an average of 43 sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases from five DRC camps (Mugombwa, Kigeme, Kiziba, Nyabiheke, Gicumbi), Mahama Camp, urban and two reception centres (Nyanza and Bugesera), with rape, sexual assault, physical assault and forced early marriage, among the listed cases even when numbers varied depending on the month.

In order to address these cases, local non-governmental organisations are now calling for international UN agencies to pave way for them to engage in the intervention programmes using their field experience and knowledge of the culture and practices.

Mary Barikungeri, Director of Rwanda Women’s Network (RWN) says that this is part of the sustainability plan and it is the best way to address the issues facing the refugees.

“We are already intervening in these areas and we understand the terrain and the issue of taboo. That is why we have used the safe spaces to address this issue through rehabilitation, empowerment,” she said.

Minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (Midmar), Seraphine Mukantabana says that the government is proud of Plan International’s contribution but tasked the organisation to be dynamic and work with local partners.

“The goal should be to ensure that refugee children have a smile, engaging parents to protect the children, and create more programmes which will impact on their lives.

“In order to address this issue we want organisations to be more creative and engage the families,” Ms Mukantabana said.

Action Aid country director, Josephine Uwamariya says that the child protection programme may look good with the provision of child friendly spaces such as play grounds, but the fact that mothers are not involved in the programme creates a setback in addressing the issues.

“You cannot handle children’s issues without involving women. At the end of the day, if these centres are not extended to women, you have a ‘mis-link’ and thus an opportunity lost,” Ms Uwamariya argues.

Andrews Kananga, the executive director of Legal Aid forum says that there is a need to co-ordinate better so that the response to GBV cases can be enhanced in the camps.

“We are working with police to make sure these cases are apprehended but with limited resources, we still need to co-ordinate better to respond rapidly to particular cases especially when it involves certain groups of children” Kananga said.

Though some refugees have been prosecuted for gender-based violence, the legal aid forum says that these issues need more sensitisation about and legal interventions.