In a 2019 commentary, Seraphine Ruligirwa-Kamara challenges societal acceptance of gender-based violence, stating that no marital conflict warrants lethal consequences. The piece emphasizes women's inherent right to life, rejecting the notion that relationships or marriages justify fatal outcomes.
"A woman’s right to live is a birthright and an international human right; it is not a husband or lover’s privilege to grant," the article states. It critiques cultural conditioning that normalizes violence against women, citing escalating reports of abuse in media and social discourse.
Ruligirwa-Kamara argues that societal failure to value women’s contributions persists despite their role in sustaining human life. She condemns justifications for violence, asserting that no behavior by a woman warrants lethal retaliation. The author calls for redefining expectations around marriage and womanhood to prioritize personal agency.
"Marriage is an aspect of social life that ideally should add value to a woman’s life. It is not a do-or-die endeavour," the piece argues. It urges women to reject passive acceptance of violence, stating, "no man, relationship or marriage is worth dying for." The 2019 analysis highlights generational shifts needed to address systemic gender inequality.
