POLITICAL REPRESENTATION AND UNSPOKEN STRUGGLES OF RWANDAN WOMEN

In April 1994, the world witnessed one of the most devastating genocides in history in Rwanda.

- By Hanna Sunny & Dr. Karamala Areesh Kumar

Over four months, approximately 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu were killed in a horrifying wave of ethnic violence fueled by decades of underlying ethnic tensions, worsened by colonial policies that favoured the Tutsi minority over the Hutu majority. Among the countless atrocities committed, the genocide saw the systematic targeting of women: an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 Tutsi women suffered brutal sexual violence, emphasising the severe gendered impact of this catastrophe.

The aftermath of the Rwandan genocide left the country with a significant demographic imbalance, with approximately 70% of the population being female due to the high mortality rate among men. This demographic shift created an urgent need to empower women to rebuild society. In response, women took on vital roles across various sectors, including agriculture, business, and community leadership, significantly contributing to Rwanda's economic recovery while transforming societal gender dynamics. Their contributions have been instrumental in driving economic recovery and have simultaneously reshaped gender roles within Rwandan society. A pivotal moment for women’s involvement in governance came with the establishment of the gacaca court system, which aimed to address crimes committed during the genocide. Women actively served as judges and witnesses, a participation that allowed them to assume leadership roles and contribute to their communities’ healing and reconciliation processes. This engagement not only facilitated Rwanda's post-genocide recovery but also challenged traditional gender norms, thereby strengthening women's roles in society. As a result, the gacaca courts stand as a powerful example of Rwanda's progress towards gender equality within its post-conflict framework.