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Women on the forefront of Change
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The Rwandan women’s movement is one of the most effective women’s movements throughout Africa it is also importantly one of the most coordinated and active social movements in Rwanda. Women in Rwanda now top the world rankings of women in national parliaments, today Rwanda has the highest number of women parliamentarians in the world with women constituting 48.8% in the Chamber of Deputies compared to a world average of 15.1%. The Government of Rwanda also has 34% of women in its cabinet and 34.6% in the senate.

As a result of elections held in September and October 2003, Rwanda displaced Sweden as the country with the world’s highest percentage of women in its lower or single house of parliament. Much has been achieved in the post-genocide transition period that Rwanda underwent. The most significant explanation for the growth in women’s representation can be said to be the strong commitment on the part of the post-genocide government towards the inclusion of women and the expansion of women’s rights throughout Rwanda. A variety of new gender roles have been assumed by women in post-genocide Rwanda. Rwandan women have been stepping into roles traditionally held by men. In colonial Rwanda and before the genocide women weren’t able to actively participate they were historically prohibited from performing even the most rudimentary of tasks. Legally married women in Rwanda had rigidly limited rights. They could vote, but their husband’s consent was required for them to engage in commerce, register a business, buy land, act as a witness, or undertake court action. However, in post-genocide Rwanda women have now become the heads of households, business owners, mayors, legislators and ministers of states. They have also readily become sources of social and economic capital, contributing to the prospects for peace in the country .

Today Rwandan women have an integral role in rebuilding a country devastated by mass genocide, human displacement, and economic collapse. Rwandan women have been able to effectively take an active role as the country has undergone a lengthy period of reconstruction. The women’s movement in Rwanda has been able to improve relations between ethnic Tutsi and Hutu women. In post-genocide Rwanda they have been able to work together despite the tragedy of the genocide, focusing on the commonality of their struggle as women; together they have been rebuilding their lives, their homes and their country. Rwandan women have been able to effectively change their world.

For more information check out "Ladies First" a PBS documentary "profiling Rwanda women on the forefront of change."


March 2, 2009 | 1:18 AM Comments  0 comments

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