Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), who is a Rwandan national, Mbaranga Gasarabwe Clotilde visited Rwanda to witness the country’s best practices in Ending Violence Against Women and Girls that can be applied across Africa.Ms. Mbaranga is in the country to attend, the official launch of the Command Post Exercise (CPX) codenamed “Africa unite” Ending Violence Against Women and Girls on 11 July.
During this Exercise, Representatives of Security Organs from 37 African countries will convene at Rwanda National Police to exercise on how to fight Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) both at home and during Peace Support Operations during conflict situations.
Ms. Mbaranga revealed that she is attending the event to witness the Rwandan best practices that can be shared with the whole African countries in Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
She paid a courtesy call on Rwanda’s defence Minister Gen. James Kabarebe on July 10, 2013 to with the purpose of introducing the UNDSS country team to the Rwandan authorities for future collaboration.
She also visited Rwanda to meet with their UNDSS country team together with Rwandan Authorities “Safety and Security is the main issue for all the countries”, she noted adding that wherever they have staff, they have to ensure that they are safe and that their safety is in hands of the host Nation.
She further explained that they have to ensure that the Country team works closely with the National authorities.
“They are the ones who protect us”, what ever we do, security assessment, security analysis, we do it closely with national authorities, and that every thing is done and shared,” she added.
As deputy to the Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security, the Assistant Secretary-General is responsible for the day-to-day overall management of the department (UNDSS), for strengthening internal management as well as representing the Department in the absence of the Under-Secretary-General.
Born in Rwanda in 1959, Ms. Gasarabwe, also as currently Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative and Designated Official in Mali, has served as Resident Coordinator in Guinea and Djibouti, and as Resident Representative ad interim and Deputy Resident Representative in Benin since 1998.
Beginning in 1991, she held various positions with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York, including Chief of Division ad interim for Eastern and Central Africa, having previously worked in other international institutions.