The number of divorce cases in Rwanda dropped from 3,075 in 2022/23 to 2,833 in 2023/24, a reduction of 242 cases, or 7 percent, according to a report released by the judiciary recently. This decrease comes after a period of rising divorce rates in the country, with factors such as adultery and gender-based violence contributing to the upward trend. ALSO READ: Divorce and Money: How to Avoid a Messy Split One major catalyst for this decline is the 2024 Family Law, which was introduced following a significant surge in divorce cases over the past five years. Records show that in 2018, courts approved 1,311 divorces, but this number surged in 2019 to 8,941. In 2020, the number of divorce complaints submitted to the courts was 3,213, while the 2021/22 report indicated that divorce had become the most common civil case, with 3,322 divorces recorded. Some divorce cases arose from individuals who entered marriages primarily for financial gain. In some instances, choosing a “community of property regime” allowed a spouse to claim half of the shared assets even if the marriage lasted only two years, provided there was justification for the divorce. This trend prompted a revision in the law, as it became clear that some individuals were exploiting the community property regime for financial gain upon divorce. Previously, many couples opted for a joint property arrangement, allowing them to divide assets equally in the event of separation. Under the new law governing the dissolution of community property, Article 156 specifies that “if the community of property regime is dissolved on grounds of divorce or a change in the type of matrimonial regime, the spouses shall equally share the assets and liabilities or divide them according to an alternative agreed method.” “However, if the cohabitation lasted less than five years, a court may, upon request by one spouse, decide not to equally distribute assets and liabilities after evaluating the reasons provided by the requesting spouse. In such a case, each spouse will receive a share of the property based on the court’s findings.” ALSO READ: The Effects of Divorce on Children Factors contributing to the decline in divorce cases Harrison Mutabazi, the Judiciary spokesperson said that monitoring the number of cases filed helps to determine trends in divorce rates. Mutabazi posited that an increase in reconciliation efforts before couples reach court might explain the decline. These efforts could include community-level discussions, family mediation, self-reflection, and other methods showing positive outcomes. He also emphasised the role of religious institutions in helping couples reconcile, noting that faith-based groups often promote family unity. On demographic trends, Mutabazi observed that while divorce cases are more common among younger couples, they are rare among older individuals. “I can’t pinpoint an exact age range to avoid misleading people, but it’s uncommon for older couples to divorce compared to younger couples, especially those in recent marriages. Divorce tends to be more prevalent among younger couples,” he explained.
