Reconciliation Between Women After Genocide
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Date
2020-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
There has been a growing number of academic works related to the shifting gender roles of women after mass violence and genocide, including how changing roles affect women's agency. However, there is little written on reconciliation processes undertaken by women after such events. Using Rwanda as a case study, I conducted 25 in-depth interviews with women who are members of all-women's cooperatives or related groups, such as community or church organizations. I analyze their reasons for joining these organizations, as well as the benefits gained from the women's respective organizations. I find that women join women's cooperatives and groups for economic purposes, to find a sense of community, or to reconcile with other women in the organization. The benefits women obtain from the groups include economic stability from earnings or savings groups, as well as mental stability from having a place to share past traumatic experiences and general life problems. These economic and mental benefits women receive from women's cooperatives and groups created after the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi assist women in their personal reconciliation process, whether they have been harmed or had family members who have harmed during the genocide. This study aligns with current research regarding the agency of women in post-conflict societies, and how agency is utilized during the reconciliation and reconstruction process of a country. Additionally, this study adds to existing literature by discussing how women utilize agency in post-conflict Rwanda through the creation of various women's organizations, and how these organizations not only benefit participants economically and mentally, but assist in the individual's personal reconciliation process.
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Keywords
Women, Genocide, Rwanda, Reconciliation