Aftermath: Women's Organizations in Postconflict Rwanda

Citation:

Newbury, Catherine, and Hannah Baldwin. 2000. "Aftermath: Women's Organizations in Postconflict Rwanda." Working Paper No. 304, Center for Development Information and Evaluation, United States Agency for International Aid, Washington, DC.

Authors: Catherine Newbury, Hannah Baldwin

Abstract:

This report forms part of USAID’s Center for Development Information and Evaluation (CDIE) multicountry evaluation of gender issues in postconflict societies. In particular, this study focuses on the role that women’s organizations have played in addressing gender issues arising out of conflict and postconflict transition in postgenocide Rwanda. The field research for the report took place over four weeks in May and June 1999. A researcher with experience in gender and transition settings and a political scientist with 30 years of experience working on Rwandan issues conducted the research under the auspices of USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives and CDIE as part of a dual evaluation and study exercise. Interviews were conducted with local government officials, organization members, elected women leaders, project beneficiaries, local and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), donor agencies, and ministry officials. The team also collected documents, records, and other publications not available in Washington.

Annotation:

“Thus, the urgency of women’s needs, the tradition of past association activity in the country (which had given some women experience in leadership), and government and donor support were all important for the reemergence of women’s organizations in Rwanda after 1994.” (Newbury, 2-3)

“Alleviating suffering and assisting women in a postconflict context in getting back on their feet economically have been seen as a path to broader goals -- a means to support women’s political participation and to promote reconciliation.” (Newbury, 9)

Topics: Gender, Women, International Organizations, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Rights, Women's Rights Regions: Africa, Central Africa, East Africa Countries: Rwanda

Year: 2000