The ‘Couples for Healthy Relationships’ Program: Ending Gender Based Violence through Couple Education
“Families experiencing Gender Based Violence often are more prone to poverty. At the Sector level we see and treat cases of malnutrition and cases of children dropping out of school because of an unhealthy situation at home. The impact that Rwanda Women’s Network is having on communities is huge”
— Pascal BUTERA, Executive Secretary, Nyarugenge Sector, Bugesera District“
Evanis MPORENDORE, a Women Space Facilitator in Nyarugenge Sector, was close to ending her marriage because she was experiencing Gender Based Violence. “Before I attended the training I used to come home drunk and I would kick things out of my way. My duty was to go home and sleep and if I got home and the bed was untidy, I’d quarrel uncontrollably” said her husband Jean de Dieu NIYONSHUTI.
In a last resort to save their marriage, the couple attended the ‘Couples for Healthy Relationships program (C4HR)’ led by Rwanda Women’s Network in partnership with ‘WOMENSTRONG International’ and local leadership in the Bugesera District. “During the 21 weeks program, couples learned about Gender Based Violence, Power and Intimate Partner Violence. We are giving them tools and empowering them to heal their relationship and transform their home environment and family life” says Sharon BIDERI, Communication and Advocacy officer, Rwanda Women’s Network.
The initial audience for ‘Couples for Healthy Relationships’ is Women Space Facilitators and their spouses.
“We wanted to empower the women meeting Gender Based Victims on a daily basis, who are often victims themselves, to get tools and build healthier homes. This also enables us to scale. After graduating the program, Women Space Facilitators and their spouses often become counselors to other couples in their communities.”
Like many other couples (over 60 between 2020-2022), this program transformed Evanis and Jean de Dieu’s relationship: “The program helped us gain calm attitudes. I learned that I too can do house duties and we have tools to resolve our conflicts'' said Jean de Dieu. The couple now counsels couples experiencing Gender based Violence, growing awareness and leading change in their community.
See the stories of Evanis, Jean de Dieu and 5 other couples in this video:
“We believe peace begins with yourself, with your home and at the end of the day it goes back to the community”
What is Gender Based Violence?
Gender-based violence includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse, threats, coercion and economic or educational deprivation. GBV most commonly comes in the form of violence against women.
About the Program:
‘The Couples for Healthy Relationships’ program was launched in 2020 in collaboration with WOMENSTRONG International and local leadership in the Bugesera District, with the goal of shifting attitudes, behaviors and gender norms.
Over the course of 21 weeks, the program educates couples on Gender Based Violence, Power and Intimate Partner Violence. Giving them tools and empowering them to heal their relationship and transform their home environment and family life.
We are focusing on couples and families because we believe that both men and women play a huge role in ending Gender Based Violence. Programs like this not only change the present but also impact the future. Helping educate younger generations to equality, as they are experiencing change at home.
So far 80 couples have completed the program and 60 are now also serving as counselors in their community. Helping grow awareness, reduce sector level case load and lead change.
Our hope for the future is that we would be able to scale this project to more regions, helping us end gender based violence in Rwanda.