For over 10 years, Anaclet Nzeyimana, and Jeanne Mukanoheri, were living together without being legally married – a situation they agreed was precarious. The couple has five children.

Last week, they expressed optimism that the future of their union is stable, and their children’s rights are now guaranteed as they were among the 390 legally married couples in Gakenke District, through World Vision Rwanda support. Their civil wedding, witnessed by district officials, took place during the celebration of International Women’s Day. This couple, along with hundreds of others had undertaken pieces of training on how to be resilient families, centered on love and respect between spouses, and caring for their children.

When asked what inspired them to decide to become legally married, Nzeyimana said that he felt it was the right decision for their union to be legitimized, adding that this would greatly impact their children as well.

"Now, our children are assured of support from both of us as their parents. My wife is now legally recognized, therefore we will live together in harmony and share all we have together," Nzeyimana remarked.

For Mukanoheri, "the legal union is meaningful because we will now jointly manage our property, and the children are assured of a peaceful home with happy parents taking good care of them," she said, adding that it addresses the worry over the children's rights protection.

Indeed, illegal marriages and the wasting of family assets were in May 2021 cited by Members of Parliament as factors blamed for family conflicts.

Why prioritizing family matters

Among more than 2,000 families that were trained through World Vision’s family-focused models, above 1,500 families restored their relationship and many of them legalized their marriages in just five sectors of one district. World Vision trains couples through these models in over 20 districts across the country. The impact is therefore massive.

Joseph Habamahirwe, Faith and Development Manager at World Vision Rwanda, said that the couples that were legally married, were earlier trained under the organization’s project models. The models include the Empowered Worldview -a behavior change model that seeks to address dependency mindsets and promote individual empowerment. Another model is Celebrating Families.

"The Celebrating Families is a model through which we teach families so that they live peacefully, thus creating a conducive environment for a child to grow up happy," he said.

He said that one of the outcomes of those pieces of training is the legal marriage of couples living together but not legally recognized, which in many cases leads to so many family conflicts.

Gakenke District Mayor, Jean Marie Vianney Nizeyimana, lauded World Vision&039;s support that facilitated the legal wedding of these spouses. which he said is a good step worth appreciating.

He emphasized the need to continue being close to them so that they effectively enjoy the fruits of their marriage from now on.

"We should continue being close to them and protect them from any menace which threatens the legitimized family's autonomy and well-being," he said, adding that article 18 of the constitution stipulates that the family is the natural foundation of the Rwandan society, and the State has to put in place appropriate legislation and organs for its protection.

"You have established this family per the law. We want you to continue making a step in the household development," he said, emphasizing both parents' rights and responsibility to raise their children, and warning residents against polygamy.

Family conflicts can have a significant impact on child well-being, and addressing them is a critical part of World Vision's work. World Vision is a global humanitarian organization that works to improve the lives of children, their families, and communities through several interventions.

Some of the ways that World Vision is addressing family conflicts and improving child well-being is through strengthening family relationships: This includes providing training on positive parenting, conflict resolution, and teachings on child rights and family relationships.

The organization also supports child protection programs that work to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This includes providing child-friendly spaces and safe places for children to play, learn, and receive support, and working to ensure that policies and programs are in place to protect children from harm and promote their well-being.

World Vision recognizes the significant contribution of couples being self-sufficient and capable of providing for themselves. Hence, the organization collaborates with communities to enhance their skills in handling domestic disputes and promoting the welfare of children. This effort involves equipping community leaders and organizations with relevant tools and knowledge to effectively address the challenges encountered by families and children.

World Vision in partnership with Faith Based Organizations, local authorities, faith leaders, parents, and caregivers, is actively involved in supporting communities to enhance the welfare of children and families by tackling the underlying causes of family disputes that can have adverse effects on children's lives. The organization is fully committed to this objective.