Up close with Goretti Mwenzangu

In a recent UN report, a survey showed that Rwanda was on top of the list for sending women to peace keeping missions. Rwanda apparently has 131 women peace keepers in Southern Sudan, Darfur and Haiti. The Sunday Times (TST) talked to Goretti Mwenzangu, who was in the first lot of Rwandan women to go for Peace keeping missions in Darfur. She now works as the Inspector of Police and Coordinator of Isange One Stop Centre. Qn: What was your first reaction when they told you that they were sending you to a Peace keeping mission?Ans: I got a bit worried about the new culture and environment that was said to be insecure. I knew the circumstances would be challenging. I was in the first contingent so we did not have people to brief us and tell us what to expect. Qn: What was the most memorable event while in Darfur? Ans: The way Sudanese women are handled was hurting and unforgettable. They are the bread winners. They work like donkeys while their men sit and wait for them to put food on the table. They are discriminated against and ill-treated. Qn: What Challenges did you encounter as a woman Peace keeper? Ans: There were no special challenges for women. We all went through the same challenges with the men peace keepers. The new remote environment was a big challenge. We were always security conscious, fearing that we would be hijacked anytime. Qn: Would you advise fellow women to go for peace keeping missions? Ans: Many women imagine that this task is so hard but it’s just like any other normal job. We were working in shifts and would even get leave. These missions give women exposure and experience because they are able to work in unity in a multi-ethnic environment. This experience can make you a strong woman ready to face any challenge. Qn: What would you do when you missed your family? Ans: We were free to make phone calls so I stayed in touch with them over the phone. My family did miss me but we often communicated on phone. Qn: What was your job description at the peace keeping mission? Ans: I was working in the Investigations department. I would do follow ups if there were any cases of injustice and mentor other people as well. Qn: Were you armed all the time? Ans: We were not armed like many people think. We were supposed to use our brains. There are also different departments in Peace keeping such as Logistics and administration work. It was normal policing except that this time it was in a post-conflict area. Qn: Why does Rwanda have the most women in Peace keeping missions? Ans: It’s because gender equality is encouraged in Rwanda. We believe that men and women have the same capabilities. In Rwanda police, we are trained and have skills in Gender Based Violence which is vital for Peace keepers on mission. The UN is also encouraging participating countries to increase the number of women in Peace Keeping missions so that they can help other women in these war torn areas. TST: Thank you for talking to us.Ans: It was my pleasure. Ends