Today, in Gisagara District, Nyanza Sector, the Family and Gender Equality Week at the Southern Province level was officially concluded. The week ran from March 17 to April 17, 2026, under the theme: “Let us promote gender equality and build a capable and secure family.”
The Guest of Honor was the Executive Secretary of the Southern Province, Mr. Vedaste Nshimiyimana.

Participants:
- Executive Secretary of the Southern Province
- Deputy Chief Gender Monitor (GMO)
- Mayor of Gisagara District
- Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs
- Security organs at both provincial and district levels
- Development partners (FXB Rwanda, PRISM, CLADHO, Compassion, faith-based organizations, etc.)
- National Women Council
- Youth volunteers
- A large number of citizens

Activities that characterized the day:
- Visiting a family that had been living in extreme poverty and conflict, but has now improved its livelihood after receiving counseling and reconciling as a couple
- Visiting children in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers and providing them with milk and balanced diets
- Exhibition by citizens showcasing achievements in development and social welfare
- Presentation of activities carried out during Family and Gender Equality Week
- Cultural dances conveying messages against gender-based violence and promoting conflict prevention within families
- Testimony from a family that overcame domestic conflicts
- Legal marriage ceremonies for 17 couples who had been cohabiting informally
- Distribution of 7 cows to 7 families
- Provision of 120 chickens to 6 families to combat child malnutrition under the “One Cow per Poor Family” initiative
- Allocation of 616,000,000 Rwandan Francs to support vulnerable families in overcoming poverty (by FXB)

Key messages delivered:
- The benefits of family harmony, including development, proper child upbringing, mutual respect, love, and trust
- The importance of gender equality and complementarity within the family
- The difficulty of building a stable and capable family without unity
- The need to identify families in conflict and support them toward reconciliation
- Prevention of child sexual abuse
- Rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of violence
- Encouraging informal unions to legalize their marriages
- The role of stable families in ensuring national peace and stability
- Strengthening efforts to combat gender-based and domestic violence
- Promoting equal rights

In his remarks, the Guest of Honor, Executive Secretary Vedaste Nshimiyimana, urged all participants to actively contribute to building strong and secure families. He emphasized that the most valuable investment for both families and the nation is the child, as they represent Rwanda’s future.

In closing, he reminded participants that the country is in the 100-day commemoration period of the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He called on the youth to reject genocide ideology in all its forms and to use social media responsibly, avoiding being misled by false narratives. He also encouraged parents to teach their children the true history.

The event concluded in a joyful atmosphere, where newly married couples celebrated by cutting cake, popping champagne, and sharing moments of social interaction.

“Let us promote gender equality and build a capable and secure family.”