Female Police officers attend professional development course to prevent use of children in armed conflicts

Eighteen female Police officers attended a one-day professional development course conducted by the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security to further advance efforts to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts.

The course held at the Regional Center of Excellence on GBV and Child Abuse at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru, was designed to update the female Police trainers with the recent developments related to curriculum and training methodology and on the content of the new 4th edition of Dallaire Institute Handbook.

The handbook provide defense and security sector actors with a clear understanding of the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups in situations of armed conflict; their roles and responsibilities on the protection of children recruited and used by armed forces and armed groups in situations of armed conflict; practical guidance on preventing the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict; and resources for training and capacity building to protect children.

Maj Gen (rtd) Ferdinand Safari, the Director of Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security – African Centre of Excellence, said that the world today is confronted with the harsh reality that millions of children are still being exploited and forced into participating in armed conflicts.

The consequences of this exploitation, he added, are devastating not only for the children involved but for the communities and societies they belong to.

“The handbook serves as a source of knowledge and guidance, providing practical strategies and insights to effectively address this pressing issue. It represents a comprehensive resource for defense and security sector trainers dedicated to safeguarding the rights and futures of children worldwide,” Safari said. (End)