In a ceremony held in the Ngarama Sector of Gatsibo District on September 30, 2023, 84 couples formalized their marriages, ending years of cohabitation without legal recognition. The event took place during a week dedicated to promoting family equality and unity. The couples cited various reasons for their decision, including the desire for legal rights and improved family relations. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the couples and their families.
Clarisse Niyonsaba, one of the couples, shared her experience of living with her partner for over 20 years without formalizing their marriage. She mentioned that she had faced difficulties accessing bank loans and owning property due to the lack of legal recognition. However, after discussing with her partner, they decided to formalize their marriage, citing the importance of having legal rights. Niyonsaba expressed her joy and relief at finally having her rights recognized.
Felicien Ntamwezi, a resident of Munini Village, also shared his story. He and his partner had lived together for over 40 years without formalizing their marriage. However, when their children sought to pursue higher education abroad, they were required to provide documentation proving their parents' marriage. This prompted Ntamwezi and his partner to formalize their marriage, ensuring their children's rights and access to education.
Some couples had been experiencing marital problems and had separated but decided to formalize their marriages after receiving counseling. One such couple was Vangavanga, who had been known for causing conflicts in his home. However, after receiving guidance from local authorities, he reconciled with his partner and decided to formalize their marriage. This move has brought stability and unity to their family.
Mireille Batamuriza, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, commended the couples for their decision to formalize their marriages. She emphasized the importance of equality and unity in families, stating that these values are essential for promoting family well-being and development. Batamuriza encouraged families to prioritize these values and work towards building harmonious and equal relationships.
Richard Gasana, the Mayor of Gatsibo District, who witnessed the marriage ceremony, urged the couples to uphold their decision and build families characterized by peace and unity. He also announced plans to continue educating couples on the importance of formalizing their marriages, aiming to increase the number of registered marriages in the district.
The Ngarama Sector, where the ceremony took place, has been recognized for having a high number of families with marital conflicts. However, with initiatives like this, the sector aims to promote family unity and equality. The formalization of marriages is expected to have a positive impact on the community, promoting social cohesion and stability.
Key points
- 84 couples in Gatsibo district formalized their marriages on September 30, 2023.
- The couples cited legal benefits and improved family relations as reasons for formalizing their marriages.
- The event aimed to promote family equality and unity in the district.
