World Vision Rwanda develops toll-free Child Help-Line system
By Moses Mukitale, Communications Officer
World Vision Rwanda, in partnership with the Rwanda National Police has developed a toll free child help-line system, a mechanism that now enables everyone in Rwanda especially children, to call police at no cost and specifically report child rights issues.
The 3 digit help line 116, the first of it’s kind dedicated to only child right issues in Rwanda has already been integrated in the country’s police call center and is now operational in all the 30 districts of Rwanda. It focuses on child rights, abuse issues and links children to resources and emergency assistance.
Prior to this, The Rwanda National Police was using one toll free help line (3512), to respond to gender based violence and child abuse.
According to the World Vision Rwanda National Director George Gitau, the child helpline is a fundamental part of World Vision’s child protection systems and will enable the organization to identify key protection issues that need urgent action across the country.
‘’We are so happy that the Child Help line number, 116 is easy to remember, easily accessible and free of charge to all phone networks. The data and information generated from the Child help line will help in providing critical information and trends that will be essential for us to improve our child protection mechanisms and interventions.’’ Mr. George Gitau said during the official launch and hand over of the system to police.
World Vision Rwanda invested USD$217, 000 in the development of the child help line, including the purchase of laptop computers and furniture for helpdesks, and other items needed for the operationarization of the system in all the 30 districts of the country.
‘’Children themselves will be able to provide us with information about what is needed most in their lives. There is no way children can enjoy life in all its fullness when they still face abuse and violence. That is why we have worked with the Rwanda National Police to put in place a system such as this, to fight against gender based violence and issues of child abuse‘’ George Gitau the World Vision National Director added.
Rwanda’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gashumba, who was present at the launch of the Help line called for its effective use in information sharing, to report crimes against children.
‘’This campaign to protect rights of children is in line with the government programs and the campaign by the first Lady to ensure that children are protected and their rights observed,’’ IGP Gasana said
World Vision Rwanda, together with other child protection actors will under this arrangement be able to access all the information and data generated from the child help line system. The official launch of the child help line was merged with the 2016 nationwide annual police week of Rwanda. This year’s Police Week was held under the theme “Stand up for Child Protection”, Call 116.
The Mayor of the City of Kigali, Monique Mukaruliza; who was guest of Honor at the launch remarked in her speech that protection of children from all sorts of abuses shouldn’t be left to Police alone.
“It should be a collective responsibility for parents, leaders, guardians, mentors and the children themselves,” Mayor Mukaruliza said.
All Rwanda’s 4 Provinces plus Kigali City have under this development got localized centers at their Police Stations hosted at district level to receive, register and track progress on all child protection incidences reported. The system has a capacity to receive at least 30 calls simultaneously.