The Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion has called on religious leaders to use their influence to help resolve persistent family disputes, saying faith communities play a critical role in shaping social values.
The appeal was made March 3, 2026, during a consultative meeting organized by the Alliance Evangelique au Rwanda, a coalition bringing together about 90 Christian churches and faith-based organizations.
The meeting focused on the role of churches in strengthening families and promoting women’s empowerment as a pathway to sustainable development.
AER Director General Alfred Gatabazi said the initiative aims to recognize the vital contribution of women within both the church and the household. He described the church as a family that depends on partnership and mutual respect between men and women.
Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Consolée Uwimana said religious leaders are uniquely positioned to influence large audiences and should help address challenges such as parental neglect, domestic conflicts and lack of shared responsibility within families.
Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Consolée Uwimana
“Religious leaders reach many people who listen to them,” she said, urging churches to intensify teachings that promote unity and accountability at home.
About 120 women representing different churches attended the meeting and pledged to expand outreach efforts, including counseling and awareness campaigns in communities.
According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, religious institutions account for about 12.2 million followers — nearly the entire population — underscoring their broad societal influence.
