WOMEN IN RWANDA

[Augustin Nzayisengab]

Rwanda.


Since 1994, the country's name has been synonymous with genocide. The
numbers are staggering. Estimates say that up to 500,000 women and
girls were raped, tortured and physically abused during the genocide.
The impact of these horrors is still felt today, but Rwanda is
rebuilding now with the leadership of the women.

Women are paying the highest price.
The deaths of over 800,000 people during the 1994 genocide and the
displacement of 2,000,000 more left the country 70% female. Over ⅓ of
households are headed by women. And 80% of these are run by
impoverished widows.

Women are raising children that are the result of brutal crimes. Many
have sexually transmitted diseases – in fact over ¼ million children
have been orphaned by AIDS alone. Despite the extreme poverty many
Rwandans find room in their hearts to adopt as many as 6 orphaned
children, treating every child like their own, a mantra of the country
and its President, Paul Kagame.

But the Real Story isn't the Suffering …
It's the Rwandan women's ability to triumph over every obstacle.
Because of Rwandan women's courage and willingness to speak, for the
first time in history, rape is being prosecuted as a war crime.
Previously, in post-genocide Rwanda, rape had been considered a third
degree crime. What's more, the election of 2003 put 49% of the
parliament seats to women, giving women a voice and a platform in
which to use it.
Generous, Caring Support from Women Like You is Bringing Hope and
Healing to Rwandan Women.
Women come to our offices like this:

95% of homes have no electricity
98.3% report not having running water in their home
53% of women have only received some primary education
Nearly 30% have received no formal education at all
82% do not speak the official language of Rwanda
After just one year in Women for Women International Programs:

50% of women say their ability to read and write has improved
80% say their economic situation is better
49% of the women plan to start their own business
80% report imrovement in their economic situation
93% of the women feel that their health and their families health has
increased
99% say their self-confidence has improved
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Women for Women International Programs Really Work!
“… I once even contemplated suicide. Sharing with other women helped
me cope better and put a smile on my face." - Gatarina, Women for
Women International, Rwanda Participant


When Hamide Latifi, our Kosovo Country Director, visited Rwanda – here
is what she saw: "I visited our rights awareness and job skills
training classes. How badly these women want to be there! Some of the
women walk for hours to attend class, often carrying their babies on
their backs… One baby was only five days old! The women look after
each other and each other's children with so much care and love, never
complaining, determined to use this opportunity as their way out of
poverty, isolation and marginalization."


Angelique’s Story Angelique Uwimana is 30 year's old and lives with
her 3 children; an eight year old daughter, 4 year old son, and the
youngest daughter who is 2 years old, and her husband. They live in
very poor conditions with 2 or 3 couples and their children living in
one tiny house.

When Angelique joined Women for Women International, she started by
selling avocados and making 1500fr in profit per week as well as
making flower pots to sell.