Officials from all districts across the country, on Monday, began a one-week training workshop on how to curtail gender based violence in families.

The training, taking place in Kigali, attracted officers in charge of gender equality and those under Maison d’Accès à la Justice, who provide legal services to the indigent. It was organised by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion.

Cyprien Nsengiyumva, a lecturer at Kabgayi Catholic University, who is facilitating the training, said gender based violence occurs due to lack of fundamental values within the family and mismanagement of the family estate.

"Many families are not built on the core values of love,” he said, adding that this is why families end up in conflict.

Alfred Karekezi, Director of the Family and Child Rights department at the ministry, said the trainees were now in a better position to nip GBV in the bud.

"We have seen and heard of husbands killing their wives and vice-versa or husbands chasing their wives from their matrimonial homes well knowing that the wives are entitled to the estate,” Karekezi said.

Peace Batamuriza, from Rwamagana District, said the training will equip them with the skills to educate residents about family values.

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