Kigali, 24 May 2018-The Gender Accountability Day was held at Rwimiyaga Sector on 23-24 May 2018 respectively under the theme “Sustaining Gender Equality Gains, Accelerating Momentum for Sustainable Development”. The event which was organized by MIGEPROF, its subsidiary organs in collaboration with stakeholders left  156 couples changing their mind and accept to vow in public that they are legitimately married. The couples who have been living illegally were coached on gender equality, conjugal laws and what the law provides to couples.   Addressing a crowd which was gathered in Rwimiyaga, Governor Fred Mufulukye said that the Easter Province is running a family month which will leave close to 300 couples leagalizing their marriage and this service will be offered at gratis.  "Legalizing your marriage plays a fundamental role in fighting family conflicts and ensuring child’s rights especially registering them and in case of inheritance.’-Added Governor Mufulukye The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Honorable Nyirasafari Espérance greeted the families who took the right decision to formalize their marriage, noting that it helps a lot.   ‘When you are just cohabiting, you go against the law, so the first thing to do is to make sure laws are obeyed and when you legalize your marriage, you re recognized as a husband and wife which guarantees you some privileges entitled to couples. It also helps cpuples to live in harmony.’-Said Minister Nyirasafari Agnes Mukankubana, 75, and her partner Mutsibure David who is 85-year-old, have been cohabitating illegally for decades. She said that they decided to do civil marriage because their children might engage into succession conflicts after their deaths, but since they have legalized their marriage, the Government will be able to intervene in case of conflicts. Her husband said that he previously didn’t understand the essence of legalizing their union because he believed that loving each other is enough. Prior to legalizing marriages, the first day of the Gender Accountability Day was marked by the exhibition of partners whose activities promote gender equality and play a crucial role in fighting and preventing GBV and teenage pregnancy. It was also an occasion for parents to register their children and according to statistics, the first day left 1229 children registered and over 19 families were donated cows under ‘One Cow Per Family Program.’