Beginning September 24, Rwanda will mark the first ever Family Week following the approval by the Cabinet last week.

The week will be observed annually.

According to the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Protais Musoni, the week aims at recognising the importance of the family as a major unit of the nation.

The week will also focus on promoting and strengthening family values across the country because families form an integral part of the nation.

"Family week was initiated by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion to recognise the importance of the family as one of the major units that form a nation,” Musoni said.

"It will also focus on promoting family values among Rwandans. A family is a foundation of the society and nation and there is need to promote family values for stronger societies.”

He noted that MIGEPROF will work out a program to follow during the family week, later this month.

In an interview with The New Times, Zaina Nyiramatama, the Executive Secretary of Haguruka, a local NGO that advocates for the rights of women and children, pointed out that the Family week will be of great importance to promote family values.

"This is a great initiative, it has been long awaited. We all know when the family is weak; the nation is also weak,” Nyiramatama said.

"So we believe by promoting strong family values, the society and the nation will also be strengthened because family members are empowered.”

Nyiramatama added that the Week will go a long way in addressing the increasing family problems as more continue to deal with breakups.

She noted that the Week will be vital in restoring family values that have been eroded by modernity because during the week, family members will be able to bond.

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