WUNRN
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The
association of genocide widows , Avega Agahozo, says sexual violence was used
to humiliate, degrade and abuse women during the genocide (file photo) |
According
to the association of genocide widows NGO, Avega Agahozo, sexual violence was
used to humiliate, degrade and abuse women during the 6 April to 16 July 1994
killings. In many cases, the violence was meted out before, during or after the
women had witnessed the killing of a relative.
“Some
of the women are only coming out now because they are sick,” said Sabine Uwase,
the head of advocacy, justice and information for Avega. "We also receive
special cases suffering from cancer or with damaged sexual organs.”
Avega
has turned into a refuge for some of these women. Founded in 1995 by 58 widows,
it now has three branches and 25,000 members. More than 47,400 women are
receiving medical treatment through its programmes.
Each
day, 20 to 30 women come knocking on its doors. Asked why it took some of the
women so long to seek help, Uwase said: “Many of the women were ashamed to come
out. We had to counsel them first. Many of them were victims of rape and are
traumatized.”
One
study carried out by the organization in
Legal aid
Apart
from healthcare, Avega provided legal services for widows who wished to testify
against those accused of genocide in the traditional gacaca courts.
The
12,103 courts, which were started in 2001 and modelled on Rwanda’s traditional
justice mechanisms, are being wound up after handling more than a million
cases. At least 800,000 perpetrators have been convicted nationwide.
|
Avega members at a meeting:
The association has turned into a refuge for women who were sexually abused
during the genocide in 1994 (file photo) |
However,
human rights organizations have criticized the gacaca courts, saying they did
not provide adequate legal services to suspects, were plagued by unfairness and
have been used to settle scores.
Government
officials strongly deny the criticism, saying 94 percent of Rwandans believe in
the courts. The process, they argue, has promoted reconciliation and reunited
communities.
“Previously,
the widows were unwilling to testify,” Uwase told IRIN on 8 February. “We have
trained 419 trainers of trainers who go back to the villages to teach others
how to testify. In
Avega
also built 919 houses for widows and orphans between 2007 and 2008, and tackles
gender-based violence. Over the years, it has encouraged the women to engage in
income-generating activities, such as basket-weaving. The baskets are sold
internationally and help to supplement the US$60 monthly government grant
provided by the Assistance Fund for Genocide Survivors.
Genocide
widows form a significant percentage of survivors because the genocidaires
targeted mainly men and boys. Data compiled by the genocide survivors fund
shows that between 250,000 and 500,000 women were raped during the 100 days of
violence in which 800,000 to one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus died.
Trauma
While
some women were gang-raped, others were violated with sharpened objects,
resulting in extensive damage to their reproductive systems.
Up to
20,000 children were born from rape. Across the country, there are 10 times
more widows than widowers among the 300,000-400,000 survivors.
Some
100,000 survivors are categorized as vulnerable, including 40,000 who lack
shelter. There are also 75,000 orphans.
According
to Avega, the widows and orphans who survived the genocide bear the burden of
the atrocities committed. Having witnessed or suffered extreme violence, many
of them have a very negative attitude towards life.
“Many
of the women still find it difficult to talk about their experiences,” a
Kigali-based journalist said. “They are haunted by [the genocide].”
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