Gender violence affected women’s health during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi

During the 100 days of genocide against the Tutsi that ravaged Rwanda from April until July 1994, many women and girls were raped and experienced many other forms of sexual violence. During this period, rape was systematic and was used as a weapon by the perpetrators of the massacres. It is no doubt that sexual violence was inflicted upon women with complete impunity, and as a very effective weapon by the extremists. After genocide, many women suffered many health setbacks although the exact number of victims of sexual violence during the genocide cannot easily be estimated. The sexual violence also resulted in social exclusion as testified by one of the survivors and that after rape, a person loses self confidence. Forced impregnation had deep psychological effects on Tutsi women. Forced pregnancy involves a violation of among other things reproductive freedom and sexual autonomy, and has lasting effects given that the women may then have to raise the offspring. Tutsi women who became pregnant suffered intense shame in the society that is particularly unwilling to accept unwed mothers. Moreover, mistreatment by society including their own families, led many unmarried mothers to resort to abortion or infanticide. The passage of time is unlikely to cure the psychological harm done to the victims of forced impregnation. Women also suffered the various physical effects associated with sexual violence. The physical injuries suffered during that time and their consequences ranged from mere abrasions to instant death, and included infection with sexually transmissible diseases such as HIV and AIDS. The government of national unity has worked hard to overcome health challenges brought about by gender violation through increase to health care access. Therefore, many survivors had to endure not only a physical risk, but also the psychological damage resulting from a stillbirth. Ultimately, sexual violence had harsh and lasting consequences for the Rwandan society. The harm experienced by Tutsi women during genocide has been particularly severe in light of the physical, psychological, and social impact. With the population of women expected to be higher than of men in Rwanda, the magnitude of the detrimental effects on Rwandan society as a whole cannot be underestimated. Tutsi women were violated on multiple levels as Tutsis, as women, and as Tutsi women. Today, the government of national unity has put up measures to overcome and fight against gender based violence. In Rwanda, Local government, national agencies, and NGOs have coordinated efforts to educate all community members about the definition and consequences of rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence. While cultural beliefs about the roles of men and women are not easily changed, the government has adopted a plan to stop the cycle of gender based violence through these cultural beliefs. Rwandan legislators have come out with clear guidance on the administration of penalties in rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence cases. The wide spread inclusion of a prohibition of gender based violence in international and regional treaties and declarations, its recognition and application by the international tribunals, as well as its prevalence in the national legislation indicates that this prohibition represents a consensus in the international community. Ends