Young people in Northern Province have been urged to prepare themselves for family life by making responsible choices, protecting their wellbeing and understanding the responsibilities that come with building a family. ALSO READ: Alcoholism, absence of family time threaten stability of Rwandan families The call was made on Thursday, September 24, during a dialogue on gender equality, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and resilient families held in Musanze District. The dialogue brought together young people from across the province and officials from different sectors as part of Family Week activities aimed at promoting stable and secure families. Nadine Umutoni Gatsinzi, head of the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), told the youth that their daily conduct shapes their reputation and can influence the opportunities available to them. “How you live in society, your conduct, your words, your actions, your values, and your overall demeanour, all of these reveal who you are,” she said. Gatsinzi urged young people to be intentional about the identity they build, linking responsible behaviour to mental and physical wellbeing. “Your personal marketing team is your mind, it is your thoughts, actions, behaviour, and the decisions you make. It stems from your mental health and a sober, healthy lifestyle; if you introduce drugs or alcohol, you are killing your marketing team,” Gatsinzi said. ALSO READ: Kagame talks parenting, quality time with family Preparing for family life Aline Umutoni, the Director General of Family Promotion and Child Protection at the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), said building a stable family requires preparation, commitment and the involvement of all its members. “There is no point in building a family without a sense of ownership or commitment, knowing it will likely be plagued by the common issues that undermine families, such as conflict. We must recognize that the responsibility for building a healthy family lies with us,” she said. She urged young people preparing for marriage to understand its meaning and responsibilities instead of entering it without adequate preparation. “If becoming a doctor requires study, sometimes even seeking knowledge elsewhere in other countries, and driving a car requires obtaining a licence, learning traffic laws, undergoing practical training, and taking exams, then we should understand that building a family also requires learning and preparation,” Umutoni said. ALSO READ: Officials urge family dialogue to address root causes of conflicts 'Marriage is like a project' Umutoni described building a family as a project that requires a strong foundation, continued investment and regular assessment to remain stable. “A capable and stable family is defined by three key pillars: economic well-being, social welfare, and governance,” she said. She encouraged young people to honestly assess their circumstances and determine what they need to improve before starting a family. “Building a family is like a project that begins with a business plan: one gathers information, invests resources, and establishes the family unit; treating it as a project encourages continuous investment,” Umutoni said. “You cannot make a withdrawal where you haven’t made a deposit, or expect to withdraw dollars when you deposited local currency, so we reap exactly what we put into the family,” she said. Umutoni also cautioned young people against relying on emotions alone when making decisions about family life, saying building a stable family requires a sober mind and commitment. ALSO READ: First Lady urges women to be the heart of the family, country Governor of Northern Province Maurice Mugabowagahunde said stable families have a direct bearing on the wellbeing and development of communities. “The family is the foundation of everything; when a family is stable, free from violence and conflict, we as a province benefit, and the country as a whole is able to achieve development,” he said. He urged young people to report issues that threaten family stability and assured them that local authorities would work with them to address such concerns. Thierry Murangira, spokesperson for Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), focused on drug and alcohol abuse and the risks associated with irresponsible use of social media. He encouraged the youth to protect themselves both offline and online, particularly by limiting exposure of their private lives and avoiding online behaviour that could lead to crime. “You have to be sober physically and mentally,” Murangira told the youth. He also cautioned against taking to social media to talk about personal problems, urging young people to seek appropriate support and use lawful channels when dealing with disputes.
