First Lady Jeannette Kagame has expressed concern about changing attitudes toward marriage among young people, warning that marriage and family commitment are increasingly being postponed or treated as optional
Speaking at the Young Leaders Prayer Breakfast organized by the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship under the theme “Rwanda Begins at Home: Raising Stable Families in a Complex World,” she said many young people now delay marriage until they have completed their education, secured stable jobs, paid debts, or achieved other personal goals.
She warned that waiting for everything to be perfect can sometimes cause the desire for marriage to disappear. She also highlighted modern relationship patterns such as “talking,” dating, exclusive relationships and “situationships,” which can continue for long periods without a clear commitment.
She said some people want the benefits of family life, including children, without accepting the responsibilities and daily work required to build a stable family.
The First Lady further argued that strong leadership begins with strong character and relationships. She challenged young leaders to develop not only intelligence and professional skills but also emotional maturity, character and the ability to maintain healthy relationships. She emphasized that family stability is part of the responsibility of building a strong Rwanda, hence the message that “Rwanda begins at home.”
The article also highlights the impact of family conflicts on children. Monique Mukamana of the National Child Development Agency said conflicts between parents can expose children to violence, neglect and emotional difficulties.
She noted that such experiences may later affect children’s ability to establish healthy families themselves. Rwanda’s Judiciary recorded 6,799 divorce cases in 2025, including 5,980 cases at primary courts.
Pastor James Muyango used Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:24–26 about building a house on rock rather than sand to emphasize the importance of a strong foundation for families.
Overall, the article presents marriage as more than a personal choice or social arrangement. It argues that commitment, emotional maturity, faith, responsibility and a strong family foundation are essential not only for healthy marriages but also for the future of society.
