Lawmakers Urge Stronger Family Mediation as Divorce Cases Remain High

The call was made March 2 during a meeting between the parliamentary Committee on Education, Technology, Culture, Sports and Youth and officials from the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, known as MIGEPROF. Lawmakers reviewed the implementation of the National Cultural Heritage Policy and raised concerns about rising family disputes.

Committee Chair Furaha Rubagumya said the government should reinforce the “Friends of the Family” initiative, a community advisory program designed to mediate household conflicts. He said the volunteers are not visible enough and should play a greater role in helping couples resolve minor disputes before they escalate.

“Many families are breaking up over small issues that could have been settled at home,” Rubagumya said.

MIGEPROF Permanent Secretary Mireille Batamuliza said the ministry is promoting stable families through programs including Friends of the Family and Parents’ Evening forums. She said a new training manual has been developed to help civil registrars guide newly married couples.

Judiciary data show 2,674 divorce cases were heard in the 2024-2025 judicial year, down from 2,833 the previous year. However, long-term trends indicate significant growth in divorce filings over the past decade.