Sister Immaculée Uwamariya, a renowned Rwandan nun and advocate for family stability, highlighted the increasing breakdown of families and its societal impacts during Rwanda’s commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The campaign, which started on November 25, 2024, focuses on the theme, “Let’s Build a Community Against Violence,” bringing together government leaders, international organizations, and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Sister Uwamariya, a founder of Famille Espérance, emphasized that family disintegration is not accidental but rooted in complex societal and historical factors. She noted that some couples treat their marriages as mere business partnerships, where material gain or loss triggers conflicts and misunderstandings. Others enter marriage hastily or out of obligation, such as when an unplanned pregnancy occurs, creating a fragile foundation for the relationship.
Sister Uwamariya also pointed to lingering trauma from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi as a significant factor affecting family stability. She explained that unresolved psychological wounds can hinder individuals from building harmonious homes, and the cycle often repeats in families where conflict was prevalent during childhood.
“The Rwandan family is the foundation of society, but it faces threats from within and beyond,” she said. “A person shaped by a history of conflict and instability often carries those patterns into their own family, perpetuating the cycle of disintegration.”
A Call for Collaborative Solutions
Sister Uwamariya emphasized that addressing these challenges requires collective efforts from government institutions, religious organizations, and community partners. She stressed the importance of pre-marital education, urging young people to prepare thoughtfully for marriage.
“Teaching those planning to marry is crucial, but we must also engage the youth deeply. The values children learn at home shape their future relationships, so parents and communities must instill the right principles,” she said.
Parents’ Role in Family Stability
Sister Uwamariya encouraged parents to foster open communication with their children and to prioritize time spent together over work or other distractions. “The best gift you can give your child is your presence,” she said, adding that children who study abroad at an early age often miss the foundational guidance of their families.
In 2023-2024, the Rwandan courts received 25,481 civil cases, with 2,833 involving permanent separation of spouses, highlighting the urgency of Sister Uwamariya’s message. She called on all Rwandans to work together to rebuild family values, resolve conflicts, and create a stable environment for future generations.