The initiative was confirmed by RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga, during an interview with the media. He emphasized that for women and girls in the force to thrive professionally, basic needs related to their well-being must be prioritized.

“The leadership of Rwanda National Police has decided to initiate daycare centers, starting with the Police Headquarters and then extending to police training schools and other institutions,” 

ACP Rutikanga said. “It’s a decision that will soon move from planning to implementation, with the aim of having significant progress within the next year.”

He added that this initiative is a response to repeated appeals from female officers during annual forums and consultations, where the lack of proper childcare and menstrual hygiene facilities was consistently raised as a barrier to productivity and comfort at work.

“In places where we now have a significant number of women, it’s clear that having daycare centers and girls’ rooms is not just helpful but necessary,” 

ACP Rutikanga explained. “All newly constructed police buildings will henceforth be required to include a girls' room as part of their standard facilities.”

These girls' rooms will serve as private spaces where female officers and recruits can manage menstrual hygiene with dignity, especially during training or field operations. Meanwhile, the daycare centers will offer on-site child care services for officers with young children, helping them balance family responsibilities and professional duties more effectively.

The decision aligns with RNP’s broader goal of increasing the number of capable women in the force. In 2024, Inspector General of Police CG Felix Namuhoranye reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to gender equality in policing, aiming to raise the proportion of female officers to at least 30% of the total force. At the time, women accounted for nearly 24% of police personnel.

By addressing the unique needs of female officers through supportive infrastructure, RNP hopes to enhance operational effectiveness while fostering a more inclusive and gender-sensitive policing environment.