Innocent Nsegiyumva and Agnes Manirakiza shared a life of twelve fulfilling years, blessed with three wonderful children. While they hadn’t formalized their union legally, they jointly owned property, including land. However, there was a significant imbalance in their relationship regarding decision-making and control over their shared resources.
“Being abused and beaten by my husband had become part of my life as a married woman, until I found Haguruka, where I got the support that I needed to escape that terrible situation.” – Donatille.
Liberee and Deogratias have been married for 35 years and have six children together. For most of their marriage, the husband was the only one making decisions over the family’s property including selling it and using the money for his own needs instead of the family’s.
After over twenty years of marriage, Ziripa thought the hard years were now behind them as a couple. She never imagined herself being in a situation she found herself into when her husband left her for another woman.
Nyiraneza, a mother-of-one and resident of Nyamasheke District, found herself in a complicated situation.
Nyiranzirorera and her husband have been married for 30 years. Majority of those years however were filled with so much pain, she narrates.
Fanny Nyirarukundo, a resident of Kayonza district was married to Venuste Masumbuko. Their marriage was like that of most couples; have kids, build a home and a future together.
When Alex Ngirimana, a resident of Nyanza district, completed serving his Gacaca imprisonment sentence, coming back home and integrating into his family and society was a challenge.
A system that’s built to protect and defend children’s rights is one that favours their proper wellbeing as much as that of the society in general.
Building peaceful homes is the heartbeat of any healthy society. But this isn’t always the case, as some families continue to face conflicts and turmoil leading to unstable and broken homes.