Law No. 32/2016 of 28/08/2016 governing Persons and Family. Country/Territory Rwanda Document type Legislation Date 2016 Source FAO, FAOLEX Original source Official Gazette No. 37 of 12/09/2016. Subject General Keyword Gender Governance Human rights Equity Inheritance Geographical area Africa, Eastern Africa, Landlocked Developing Nations, Least Developed Countries Entry into force notes This Law comes into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda. Abstract This Law governs natural persons and family as well as relations between persons. Spouses have the same rights and obligations. Spouses must owe each other mutual fidelity, help and assistance. The right to the patrimony of spouses commences upon celebration of marriage before the civil registrar in accordance with their matrimonial regime. In case of marriage dissolution or nullity before cohabitation, it has no effect on the patrimony of the spouses, unless it is evident that the spouses have a joint property. Spouses jointly provide management of the household including moral and material support to the household as well as its maintenance. If one of the spouses does not fulfil his/her obligations, the other spouse may request from competent court provisional measures that safeguard the interests of the household and particularly those of the children. Any of the spouses may apply for divorce on one of the following grounds: adultery; desertion for a period of at least twelve consecutive months; excess, abuse or serious insults by one towards another; gender based violence, etc. Full text English/French Website resourceequity.org