WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY:
RWANDA

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UNIFEM WOMEN, WAR AND PEACE WEB PORTAL: RWANDA

"Women look out for their interests and those of their children; they have a vested interest in peace. We are not yet involved enough, though there are very few of us, and it's a problem. We need women in grassroots peace organizations, facilitating reconciliation work, working in the economic sector, managing projects. We want our voices to be heard. When can we be the ones to sit at the head of the table? As women gain ground in local leadership positions, we will gradually begin to get more national opportunities. And if we're there, it will make a difference - a big difference."

Lt. Colonel Rose Kabuye-chair of the Political and Judicial Commission of the Rwandan Leadership

"After the genocide, the widows decided to get together. There were 310 of us… At the first gathering it was mostly crying and some talking. We told each other what happened to us. Little by little, we got accustomed to the situation- crying wasn't the solution. We thought of activities to doo. We thought about getting lodging and getting houses… A group of four or five would build for one, then go to another to build a shelter for her. If it was too difficult we would go to the local authorities and ask them to help build the house. In Rwanda women are not allowed to go on the roof. That is the man's job. At first we'd go out at night to repair our houses, so no one would see us. But then someone found out and gave us pants to wear. Then we decided it did not matter if anyone laughed. We went out during the day."

Anonymous
Women's Commission for refugee women and Children, "Rwanda's women and Children: The Long Road to Reconciliation,"
September 1997