Understanding the perception of people on gender equality and related family conflict.The case of Kigali sector /Nyarugenge District

Abstract

This Study was conducted in order to understand the perception of people on gender equality and family related conflict in Kigali sector/ Nyarugenge District. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to: i) analyze the perception of people around gender equality concept. ii) assess how gender equality perceptions contribute to family related conflict (iii) recommend some possible intervention strategies for a better understanding of gender equality that suggest for harmonious family relationships. Methodologically, the study was purely qualitative and data were collected using individual in-depth interview and review of secondary data tools. Ten females, ten male, five local leaders participated in the study. In total (25) respondents participated in this study. According to the narratives from respondents who participated in this study, indicates that laws and policy related to gender equality created the opportunity for women and helped them to understand their rights to participate in different activities that promote their wellbeing. However, testimonies from respondents on other hand reveals that these policies related to gender equality empower women and disempower men and this become a threat to men who still have cultural beliefs of supremacy and domination over women. This different understanding of gender equality by women and men create tension that turns to violence sometimes, as consequences the family become unstable. Furthermore findings indicates that 64% of respondents who participated in this study narrated that lack of communication and dialogue between couples become a source of conflict at household level. The findings suggested strategies include: public awareness on the real meaning of gender equality for the improvement of better understanding of the concept, recommendations also have been given and areas for further research have been also suggested.