KARONGI – A total of 15 couples who had  been cohabiting for years in Gitesi sector, Karongi district, used the Women’s Day celebrations on Monday to formalise their marriages.

While presiding over the function, Mathias Munyaneza, the Sector’s Executive Secretary encouraged the couples to stay faithful to each other.

"You should endeavour to remain faithful now that you have committed yourselves before the public,” Munyaneza said.

He explained that domestic violence is a result of lack of commitment between couples. He however, expressed optimism that efforts to prevent it were finally paying off.
Joseph Nkurunziza, 26, one the newlywed couples, told The New Times that his decision was influenced by other happily married families.

"I have come to believe that living with a woman when you are not officially married is unacceptable,” he said.

Nkurunziza, who has been cohabiting with his wife for over three months condemned domestic violence, saying it retarded economic development.

It emerged that last month, seven cases of domestic violence were reported.

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