Effects of conflicts on marriage in Rwanda: Case of Rubavu District

Abstract

This study explored the effects of conflicts on marriage in Rwanda a case of Rubavu District. It using qualitative research methodology whereby the answers from various respondents were recorded, analyzed, interpreted to reach meaningful findings. A total of 150 respondents were selected basing on their experience and knowledge about marital conflicts, thereafter they were interviewed with a view of having a pool of different point of view on the causes of conflicts among married people, the impacts of conflicts among families of married people, the strategies adopted by government in the prevention of conflicts among married people and finally the conflict response styles adopted by married partners. Rubavu District was selected as case study due to high prevalence of family conflicts cases compared to the other districts of the country. Findings from the collected data show that despite the fact that conflicts occur among married people in Rubavu but different stakeholders like the government, Religious Leaders, and community leaders are investing more efforts in preventing and dealing with occurred marital conflicts. In addition, the study findings will inspire the policy makers to develop more inform strategies to deals with marital conflicts issues. On the other hand, the study recommend that the GoR should employ and recruit social workers and psychologists who can be planted in communities at cell levels, to set up policies and measures to make a close follow up or supervision on the functioning of established mechanisms to deal with family conflicts such as “akagoroba k’ababyeyi”.