Parents have been urged to return to their responsibilities of raising, guiding and spending time with their children as a way to address issues affecting the Rwandan family. ALSO READ: Alcoholism, absence of family time threaten stability of Rwandan families The call was made by the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Consolee Uwimana on Saturday, September 26, duafter participating in the monthly Umuganda in Kabaya village, Ruhengeri cell, Muhoza sector in Musanze District. Uwimana told residents that issues such as family conflicts, alcohol and drug abuse can be solved if parents return to their responsibilities. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Musanze lights up for night run against drug abuse Uwimana said the family is the foundation of Rwandan society and that its wellbeing depends largely on how parents raise and guide their children. “I want to urge parents once again to return to their responsibilities,” she said. “A child needs more than just food. They need your time for you to sit with them, show them love, listen to them and understand their needs.” “If there is something you cannot provide, let them know it is due to a lack of means, not a lack of willingness. Let us teach our children to be content with what we are able to provide for them.” ALSO READ: Poor parenting root of family challenges, says gender ministry The 2025 Citizen Report Card shows that 74.7 per cent of citizens were satisfied with family welfare, while 24.2 per cent expressed dissatisfaction. Family conflicts were the most commonly reported challenge to family harmony, at 17.4 per cent, followed by harassment between spouses at 13.6 per cent and infidelity at 13 per cent. Gender-based violence related to family property accounted for 11.5 per cent, while teenage pregnancy and divorce were reported at 9.1 per cent and 8.2 per cent respectively. Uwimana said families must take an active role in addressing such problems instead of leaving them entirely to government. “These are our problems as Rwandans,” she said. “There is no one else to solve these problems but us.” ALSO READ: Northern Province: Youth tipped on making healthy lifestyle choices Alcohol abuse and family conflicts The report shows a strong link between alcohol abuse and family conflicts. Alcohol was cited by 85.8 per cent of respondents as a cause of family conflicts, making it the most commonly identified factor. Limited communication within families followed at 82.2 per cent, while infidelity was cited by 79.3 per cent. Uwimana urged residents to confront alcohol and drug abuse, particularly because of their effects on children and young people. “These alcoholic drinks have led us into a very bad situation that we must quickly extricate ourselves from,” she said. She told young people that the country was being prepared for them to take responsibility for its future, urging them to stay away from substances that could undermine their lives. “We want to leave Rwanda to you in a healthy state,” Uwimana told the youth. “We want a capable workforce, people who are grounded and understand their roles, whether as soldiers, doctors or in any other profession, we want people who are sober and clear-headed.” The minister also linked parental responsibility to the need to prevent children from dropping out of school, living on the streets or becoming exposed to harmful behaviour. Uwimana urged parents and communities to care for children living on the streets and help them return to school. The message was reinforced by the participation of social media users and celebrities leading the Sober Generation initiative, which seeks to discourage drug abuse and the consumption of substandard alcohol. Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde urged residents to use the Umuganda activities to prepare for the upcoming autumn rains, particularly by clearing waterways and drainage channels that could cause flooding. He said the work on Rwebeya River should be followed by other practical measures, including securing roofs and putting in place ways to harvest and store rainwater for use during dry periods. “What we ask of you is genuine preparation such as the work we have just done, by clearing streams and drainage channels, ensuring our roofs are securely fastened, and setting up systems to harvest rainwater for various uses,” Mugabowagahunde said. He also urged residents living in areas identified as vulnerable to flooding and other rain-related hazards to relocate to safer places. The governor said authorities have been inspecting high-risk areas to identify households that have not yet moved, and called on those affected to act before the rains intensify.
