Rwanda’s Gender and Family Affairs minister has urged citizens to strengthen households and share responsibility for raising children, warning that family disputes are driving many minors onto the streets.
Minister Consolée Uwimana delivered the message Thursday during a national parenting forum in Kigali, where the government also introduced the Itetero Mobile App, a digital tool designed to provide parents with guidance, age-appropriate content, and practical advice on parenting.
“Every person here was born in a family and belongs to one,” Uwimana said. “Our actions, words and behavior all affect families. We must align our efforts so that together we create real change.”
The minister emphasized that protecting children begins at home. She urged parents to monitor what their children see online and to avoid harmful images and content that could negatively influence their development.
A child who participated in the forum highlighted the human cost of family discord. “Some children are taken off the streets and reunited with families, but others quickly replace them,” the child said. “This happens mainly because of constant quarrels between parents. Instead of only rescuing children from the streets, we should also talk to parents so they can reconcile and live peacefully together.”
Assumpta Ingabire, director general of the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), said a survey conducted earlier this year revealed that parents often lack time and knowledge to provide proper guidance. “Parents told us they spend most of their day earning a living and admitted to having little knowledge about effective parenting,” she said. “This app is meant to bridge that gap.”
Assumpta Ingabire, director general of the National Child Development Agency (NCDA)
The Itetero Mobile App, available on phones and computers, offers tools and information that are tailored to a child’s age and location, helping parents guide their children in a safe and supportive way.
The forum also included contributions from development partners such as UNICEF, Save the Children, and the Imbuto Foundation. Children attending the event entertained participants with songs and dances, reinforcing the message that children thrive best when families and communities work together.
Uwimana said national progress depends on the well-being of families. “We have achieved much as a country through collective effort, but for these efforts to have lasting impact, each family must take responsibility for its own challenges,” she said. “Stronger families are the foundation for a stronger Rwanda.”
