Resources

Broken Bodies, Torn Spirits: Living with Genocide, Rape and HIV/AIDS (African Rights, April 2004) 

The study, published in April 2004 during the 10th anniversary of the genocide in 2004, brought to light the suffering of women who were raped during the genocide. They were found to be desperately impoverished, commonly infected with HIV and responsible for several children, some their own, others orphans they had adopted. The stories, which they wanted to tell the world, speak of tremendous hardship and suffering, stigma and ill-health, and loss of hope. Many have died since the publication of the report.

To read the full report, click here. 



A Rapid Assessment of Nutritional Status and Food Security for Victims of Gender-Based Violence Living with HIV/AIDS

In this study funded by UNIFEM (now integrated into UNWomen), African Rights looks at the inter-connections between women’s human rights, violence against women and women’s health in the context of Rwanda. When gender-based violence is compounded by HIV/AIDS and poverty, the impact on the lives of women, their families, communities and on the nation at large, is devastating. The findings highlight the extent to which food security is an essential weapon in fighting this assault upon the health and human rights of women.  Published in 2006, the study provided a solid basis for Rwanda Gift for Life’s approach which emphasizes the need for good nutrition in order for people living with HIV to regain their health.

To read the full report, click here. 

Survivors and Post-Genocide Justice in Rwanda: Their Experiences, Perspectives and Hopes (African Rights and Redress, October 2008) 

In October 2008, African Rights and Redress, based in London, published “Survivors and Post-Genocide Justice in Rwanda: Their Experiences, Perspectives and Hopes” which examines survivors’ struggle for justice in the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda, from many different angles. The report underlined the extent to which justice is, for most survivors, of paramount importance in their lives. The yearning and search for justice in many ways defines what a survivor is. The study highlighted the complexities of justice in post-genocide Rwanda, and showed that survivors’ perception of justice depend on a variety of factors, both directly related and extraneous to their own day to day experiences of justice.

Chapter Six – LACK OF ATTENTION: RAPE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE – is of particular relevance to the work of Rwanda Gift for Life. It provides a deeper understanding of the impact and aftermath of the genocide on rape survivors and victims of sexual abuse. It is a lengthy report. If you only have time to read part of it – although the whole is highly instructive – go straight to Chapter Six, which begins on page 86 is 14 pages long.

To read the full report, click here.


Rwandan Women: AIDS Therapy Beyond Drugs
Article written by Stephanie Urdang for the United Nations magazine, Africa Renewal, after one of her visits to Rwanda

For the full story click here.