Religious institutions should help couples live in harmony in part to foster the country’s unity and development, the Mothers Union has said. The remarks were made last week during a three-day conference organised by Mothers Union for marriage couples from various Anglican Churches in the region. According to Mothers Union representative Chantal Mbanda, the conference aimed at counselling participants on harmonious living and child upbringing. "We wanted couples to share experience. We have seen family members resort to deadly deeds, where a husband kills a wife and vice versa, children killing their parents. We wish and hope that as we share experience and we pray God is going to do something so families live in harmony,” said Mbanda. "As Mothers Union, we are supposed to help families live in harmony and we will keep being supportive,” she added. Aime Bosenibamwe, the Northern Province governor, commended the role of the Mothers Union in promoting harmony among couples. Positive role"We appreciate as leaders the role of Mothers Union in strengthening unity among families. Churches and their affiliated organs should help reduce conflicts among families because family wrangles affect unity and social economic development of our country,” said Bosenibamwe. Participants said they hoped the conference will help them live in peace with their family. "I hope the lessons and blessings from here will guide me and my family to live in harmony. I believe that without God’s support families will always live in wrangles and no peace and development,” said Charlotte Nyirabagisha, from Butaro Sector in Burera District.