Haguruka conducted a comprehensive assessment to identify remaining gaps in the implementation of shelters, and the findings were as follows: a lack of shared understanding of shelters, deficiencies in the policy framework, an absence of standardized procedures, service limitations due to space constraints, staffing challenges, budgetary limitations, infrastructure deficiencies, and a lack of burnout prevention for staff. These findings underscored the urgent need for intervention and informed Haguruka’s multi-pronged response.

This assessment demonstrates how establishing clear standards, providing targeted training, and investing in infrastructure can significantly enhance the safety, quality, and accessibility of GBV shelters while strengthening the overall support system and empowering victims to seek the help they deserve and work towards their recovery.

Haguruka’s response included a detailed analysis of existing shelters and their legal frameworks. Learning visits to UWONET shelters in Uganda provided insights into best practices in management, partnerships, and survivor support. Based on these findings, Haguruka developed standardised operating procedures (SOPs) covering all aspects of shelter operations, from admission to case management. Additionally, significant renovations were undertaken at the Musanze shelter, creating a safe, hygienic, and supportive environment.

Implementing SOPs resulted in improved service delivery, increased transparency, and streamlined referral pathways. The renovated Musanze shelter now provides a safe and supportive environment, reducing the psychological impact of trauma. These efforts have also streamlined access to legal support and resources.

WHAT HAS HELPED YOU SUSTAIN YOUR WORK FOR SO LONG?

My passion for helping others drives me. I genuinely love assisting people without expecting anything in return. I focus on vulnerable individuals, and during the early years, we didn’t have computers, so we relied on direct communication and support.

BESIDES YOUR PASSION, WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME A PARALEGAL?

I once had a case against very powerful individuals in this country, and after 15 years, I won. I came to Haguruka for consultation and learned a lot about my work with the help of a lawyer. I became skilled at filling out court forms and understanding legal procedures. The knowledge I gained from Haguruka was instrumental in winning that case, which began in 1998.

WAS THERE SOMEONE YOU HELPED WHO TOUCHED YOUR HEART? WHAT HAPPENED?

Many people have touched my heart since 2001. I helped four individuals, including a woman I didn’t know personally. I was motivated to assist her because Haguruka supports women. They won their cases and returned home, unaware that I had appealed on their behalf after they were initially convicted. They thought they would be attending court for their own cases, not knowing what was happening behind the scenes. I paid for their legal representation, and they were acquitted. Those individuals became my friends, and we remain close to this day. Another rewarding experience was advising a man to accept his child, who has since been recognized and returned to school.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT HAGURUKA’S ROLE IN PROTECTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN?

Haguruka plays a vital role in supporting the people we assist, and we receive positive feedback from them. When I see individuals benefiting from our services, especially regarding DNA testing, it reassures me. Many people have doubts about their children’s paternity, and Haguruka has been the organization that society desperately needed.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF MARRIAGE PROBLEMS, AND WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS?

Poverty is a significant issue. Financial struggles and disputes over property can lead to problems in marriages. When couples marry without resources and later acquire wealth, it can create tensions, leading one partner to seek relationships outside the marriage.

WHAT BRINGS YOU SATISFACTION IN YOUR WORK?

What satisfies me most is knowing the impact of my work and believing that I will be rewarded by God. I see blessings in my life, and when I help others, I often encounter people who may not remember me but express their gratitude with heartfelt hugs. It brings me immense joy to do good for others. While I also seek support, my happiness comes from being kind and generous. I have made many friends through Haguruka, and I intend to continue this work for the rest of my life.

Paralegals like Christine serve as a vital bridge, connecting citizens with Haguruka’s services. They play a crucial role in raising community awareness about these services, guiding citizens on legal matters, and conducting case follow-ups. Recognizing the importance of paralegals in advancing justice and addressing gender-based violence (GBV) issues, Haguruka has organized capacity-building programs to enhance their ability to serve the rights-holders effectively.

We address the pressing issues of gender-based violence and barriers to justice, showcasing Haguruka’s innovative solutions, from enhanced forensic science to mobile legal aid clinics. These initiatives empower GBV victims and ensure their voices are heard, dismantling systemic obstacles and promoting access to justice.

The magazine also features powerful testimonies and insights from youth advocates, emphasizing the importance of education and open communication in addressing misconceptions surrounding sexual and reproductive health. Haguruka’s commitment includes providing legal aid, advocating for law reform, and empowering women.

We hope this issue inspires you to join us in promoting women’s rights and creating a brighter future for all, fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and empowerment in our communities.

Download the Magazine here

Habiyaremye felt pressured into the marriage. He claimed Adeline moved in uninvited and stayed forcibly, and his family disapproved. Friends mocked him for marrying an “older woman,” fueling his reliance on alcohol. The fighting escalated, and even family mediation failed.

Habiyaremye, depressed, stopped working and turned to drink more. Every possession became a source of conflict, even though they had little. Their children’s education suffered due to lack of funds.

Adeline felt trapped and silent until discovering the Ingo Z’amahoro project in Haguruka. This program encouraged open communication. On the first day, they felt a sense of shared vulnerability and attended every session.

They learned: cooperation between spouses in household chores, healthy conflict resolution, and ending domestic violence.

After the training, Habiyaremye spent less time at bars, communication improved, and arguments subsided. Now, they share his earnings, prioritizing family needs. “Before, conflict meant empty plates,” Habiyaremye admitted. “Now, we eat together, using our money wisely.”

Adeline also found her voice through Haguruka’s women’s space. Her newfound confidence led her to lead a cooperative of 25 people. “I used to be timid,” she said, “but now I speak clearly.”

Today, they are a happy family with thriving children. They credit Haguruka for saving their marriage from the brink of collapse. Now a role model in their village, they encourage other couples to talk openly and resolve conflict.

As the situation worsened, Patricia felt the need to take drastic measures to protect herself, including engaging in physical confrontations and hiding knives and machetes out of fear for her safety. “I had to hide the knives so he wouldn’t kill me,” she recalled. “I remember many sleepless nights and instances where I couldn’t stay at home. Our house felt like a wild animal’s den. He always accused me of mismanagement and I accused him of cheating me.”

Donat continued to blame Patricia for everything, viewing her as the cause of their problems rather than a partner. He accused her of financial mismanagement, saying, “I didn’t see her as a partner or a person we can live together, but as a source of problems.”

However, with empowerment of Haguruka, through the Ingo z’amahoro project, Donat and Patricia received training in essential skills such as human rights, gender equality, and property rights. Donat compared Haguruka to a doctor, healing their broken relationship and guiding them towards recovery. They learned the importance of being good partners, treating each other with respect and understanding, and realized that “no matter how difficult the situation, there’s always a way forward.”

“Haguruka has been a parent  to me, and I am forever grateful for the  support they’ve shown me. I have nothing but gratitude to offer in return, and that is to thank you.” Donat added

Today, Donat and Patricia are responsible citizens who attend community meetings together and have incorporated prayer into their daily routine. They are rebuilding their lives, starting with two pigs they purchased from Haguruka’s transport facilitations, and ensuring their children enjoy a happy and healthy life. They continue to support each other through the challenges they still face, and actively participate in community meetings, offering advice and personal testimony to help other couples resolve conflicts.

After 13 years together, daily arguments consumed their relationship, leading to communication breakdowns, physical confrontations, gender-based violence, and neglect of their children’s needs.

“Our earnings were spent on alcohol instead of providing for our children, causing constant conflict,” Dieudonné confessed. Despite attempts by local authorities and leaders to intervene, their confrontations persisted, with fears of killing each other. “We almost separated,” Dieudonné recalled. “The connection was lost, and we fought constantly, fearing we might kill each other.”

Agnès recounted instances of physical abuse and harassment, “There were times he would beat me in my sleep for no reason or verbally harass me.” Their children suffered immensely due to the lack of stability, proper food, education, and a peaceful environment.

During these violent episodes, Agnes would often sustain injuries inflicted by her partner. In one severe instance, once she reported him to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB). Despite the gravity of her injuries and potential consequences, Agnes chose to forgive him before he could be arrested.

For over six years, a conflict persisted between Dieudonné and Agnès despite attempts at local and family mediation. However, following their participation in Haguruka’s “Ingo z’Amahoro” training program, which focuses on fostering peace and understanding within families, the couple managed to resolve their issues. Dieudonné expressed that prior to the program, he believed living together with Agnès was impossible and considered their family situation a nightmare. “Our family was a nightmare; I thought it was impossible to live with my partner. I couldn’t imagine finding peace with her,” he reflected.

Through the training, Dieudonné discovered the importance of gender equality and sharing responsibility for household chores. In contrast, Agnès gained insights into addressing family issues and different types of gender-based violence. Together, they recognized their lack of communication and empathy as primary factors in escalating their family conflicts.

Inspired by their experience in “Ingo z’Amahoro,” the couple decided to legally marry in December 2023, just months after completing the program.

Dieudonné and Agnès’s story serves as a message for families in conflict. They champion the importance of engaging in community-based conflict resolution efforts. Today, they actively encourage others to embrace peace and dedicate themselves to fostering a harmonious life together.

As their relationship progressed, Mukabasomingera became pregnant and welcomed a baby boy into the world nine months later. However, the father of the child began behaving unexpectedly.

“He refused to acknowledge our child officially or provide any financial support. Despite my efforts to resolve the matter with village leaders at the cell level, he persisted in denying our child,” she recounts.

Feeling distraught, Mukabasomingera struggled to comprehend how someone she had shared her life with could treat her and their child this way.

“I felt overwhelmed by depression, constantly questioning how my child would ever receive the care and recognition he deserved from both parents,” she recalls.

It was during this trying time that Mukabasomingera learned about Haguruka and its commitment to providing legal assistance to women and children in need.

Seeking support, she approached Haguruka and detailed her situation. With their intervention, mediation was attempted, yet the father continued to deny paternity. Consequently, they opted to pursue legal action against him.

However, before the pre-trial meeting, he had a change of heart and acknowledged paternity. He registered their child in the civil status book and committed to providing financial support.

This resolution marked a turning point for Mukabasomingera and her child, ensuring the recognition and support they rightfully deserved.