A bill governing individuals and families, presented to the Chamber of Deputies on March 18, 2024, includes changes based on issues observed in Rwandan families, such as delayed divorce proceedings that can lead to continued abuse and potentially fatal outcomes.

The bill proposes eliminating the extensive mediation period previously mandated by the court, arguing that if family counsel fails and the case reaches court, the court should proceed with the divorce. This legislation, which has generated considerable debate, is criticized by some MPs for potentially leading to an increase in divorces.

MP Christine Muhongayire noted that combining the reduced court mediation period with the existing reasons for divorce could overly simplify the process, encouraging more people to seek divorce over minor disagreements.

MP Jean Claude Ntezimana highlighted past reports showing a significant rise in divorce rates, suggesting that removing obstacles could discourage couples from reconsidering their decision to separate.

Despite these concerns, MP Beline Uwineza praised the reforms for removing the lengthy court mediation process, which often exacerbated marital issues. Many MPs also criticized the notion that mere disagreements could constitute grounds for divorce, arguing for more concrete criteria.

Rwanda’s Judicial System’s report for 2022/2023 showed that 3,075 legal divorces were granted. In 2019, 8,941 families were permitted to divorce by the courts, while in 2020, courts received 3,213 divorce filings, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).