Parents play a big role in shaping the mindset and character of their children, by setting an example and teaching them the right morals. This in the long run could determine how they behave in society or marriages. The New Times asks the role parents play in stopping Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Festus Irungu Ndirangu

"Yes, parents have a big role to play where they must set a good example to their children and to the rest of the family members. If parents are involved in any form of domestic violence, they will be training their children to engage in the same acts as adults.”

Barbra Umutesi

"Women and girls experience different kinds of violence because of their gender and i strongly believe that parents especially mothers have a huge role to play in stopping that, given they should talk to their children and make it clear to them that no one is supposed to be violated because of their gender”

John Kalisa

"Parents ought to impart the right knowledge to their children and teach them the right disciplines of respect, love and appreciation. If I am a boy, I shouldn't see my sister as naive and incapable just because they are a woman, but instead see her as a human being that doesnt deserve to be beaten or denied any kind of opportunity.”

Grace Uwamahoro

"Families should give thought to the reality that boys too have to do house chores at home. I believe that, if a girl can mop the house, cook meals, and sweep the compound, a boy can do it too. Some parents instill a mentality in their children especially boys that ladies are the ones to do house chores which is wrong because these are the men beating their wives currently for not doing chores. Parents have a responsibility to model their children’s mindset right from their young age.”

Samuel Muhumuza

"Parents ought to have interactive techniques of storytelling and provision of instruction, guidance and training to their children in relation to different rigid gender stereotypes, consciously questioning their existence, necessity and the impact they have.”

Suzan Abatesi

"As a child, I would never want to see any form of gender based violence in my family, be it my dad beating my mom. No child wants or should experience that. It is therefore up to parents to demonstrate peace and understanding between themselves and ensure equal treatment of their kids in all aspects. This will be training them not to engage in any form of domestic violence when adults.”