Rwanda's women peacemakers

April 7, 2006 -(Norwegian Church Aid) As the people of Rwanda deal with the aftermath and the legacy that was left by the 1994 genocide, women are playing a key role in reconciling the communities that were affected.

The main area of intervention for Norwegian Church Aid in Rwanda is reconciliation, without which no other development work is possible. This is a tough process that involves rebuilding the broken lives of people as well as physical infrastructure. To do this, a holistic approach is required, with complete participation of the communities that affected.

Norwegian Church Aid, through its partners, has sought to address reconciliation by identifying and dealing with the root causes of the genocide, which include illiteracy and poverty. Additionally, Norwegian Church Aid has supported programmes that contribute toward the achievement of lasting and sustainable peace. In all these, the role of women in reconciliation and societal healing has been recognised.

Perpetrators, survivors and reconcilers

In Rwanda, women fall into three categories: perpetrators, survivors and reconcilers. All these categories have their special needs and therefore must be targeted. The perpetrators, who are in prison, are being prepared for their future reintegration into the community psychologically and in other ways such as income generating activities, literacy and skills training. The survivors on the other hand are being prepared to receive the perpetrators when they are finally released from prison. They are also supported through income generation activities, training, adult literacy programmes and provision of shelter.

Interaction with communities in Rwanda at various levels has revealed that women are the best at reconciliation. Norwegian Church Aid and partners are urging women to convince their relatives and the community at large to fully participate in the Gacaca courts. Gacaca is a local term which literally means ‘traditional court’. Traditionally, when there was a dispute in a community, the elders would call a meeting and people would sit on a kind of grass called ‘mucaca’ and listen to the case and together they would come up with a verdict.

Key role

Currently, approximately 35 % of the Gacaca judges countrywide are women. This has further strengthened the role of women in reconciliation processes, in addition to the fact that they educate their children and society at large about peace and unity, virtues that are critically required in a healing country such a Rwanda.

It is however important to note that the genocide affected women and girls differently that men and boys. Many women were raped and infected with HIV and other diseases. Additionally, many households are now run by women and girls whose husbands or fathers were either killed or are in prison. Hence, the roles of the women have changed from the traditionally reproductive roles to include productive roles, mainly done outside the home environment.

All these factors contribute to the central function that women must play in peace and reconciliation efforts. It is however important to note that the burden of care for the community is not a light one. Even though Norwegian Church Aid has done a lot in the area of reconciliation, much more needs to be done. Support for projects and initiatives that target women and girls in the quest to attain unity, peace and sustainable reconciliation in Rwanda must be prioritised.

For more information, contact:

Clemence Bideri, Programme Coordinator, NCA Rwanda, email: clemence@ncagl.org.rw

From: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/KHII-6NZ4UX?OpenDocument&emid=SKAR-64FB9M&rc=1