6% of Men Experience Gender-Based Violence but Remain Silent

By The Inspirer.

A recent report on gender equality (Gender Statistic Profile Report) has revealed that 6% of men aged between 15 and 49 have experienced gender-based violence (GBV) but often choose to remain silent about it.

The reluctance of these men to report such incidents is largely due to fear of losing respect in society.

While gender-based violence is commonly associated with women, the report highlights that men also suffer from physical, emotional, and sexual violence. However, the stigma surrounding male victims often prevents them from coming forward.

The Gender Statistic Profile Report 2023, released on August 23, 2024, shows that physical, emotional, and sexual violence remain prevalent across the country. Data collected in 2020 indicates that 37% of women and 30% of men aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. Additionally, 23% of women and 6% of men in the same age group have been subjected to sexual violence.

Among those who have been married, 46% of women have suffered from various forms of violence, compared to 18% of men.

Despite these alarming figures, the 2021-2022 report from the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) shows that only 2% of complaints filed at Isange One Stop Centers were from men, while the overwhelming majority—98%—were from women.

The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) reported that between 2016 and 2019, 7,210 men and 48,809 women reported experiencing violence. The disparity in reporting highlights the challenges men face in seeking help and the ongoing need to address the stigma surrounding male victims of GBV.

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