Editor,

THIS IS in reference to the story, "Women who killed in the Genocide” (The New Times, May 27)

The idea that a woman could commit atrocious acts of violence, like this génocidaire (Angeline Mukandutiye), is always shocking, because human societies have always associated women with maternal qualities (love, compassion, tenderness etc.).

But we should have fully realised by now, that in reality, what one does—good or bad—has little to do with gender. Although it is true that throughout history, women in general, have been more prone to show compassion compared to men, this should be related to our social environment and the way it shaped us, rather than intrinsic female qualities.

Today, as the balance of power slowly changes in the world, we see that women, just like men, are capable of the worst (and the best, thankfully). In the past, women have rarely been put in the position of decision-makers with power to choose harm over good.

We (women) were raised to "develop” maternal qualities. But once given the possibility to express a new dimension of ourselves, we have shown that we could do exactly like what our other halves did. It is more about individual character, morals and beliefs.

These traits are instilled in us as children and polished as we grow up. If one ends up as a zealous killer because circumstances gave them that "opportunity”, then, it is their core values as human beings that need to be questioned. Not their gender.

Diyana, Rwanda