Ukrainian Women Leaders Seek Insights from Rwanda’s Post-Genocide Recovery

A group of Ukrainian women leaders visited Rwanda to learn about post-war recovery and women’s roles in peacebuilding. Their engagement included meetings with local officials and community discussions to draw insights on transitional justice. They seek to apply Rwanda’s lessons to Ukraine, advocating for enhanced women’s involvement in the country’s recovery efforts post-conflict.

A delegation of Ukrainian women leaders, representing various sectors under The Day After foundation, recently completed a five-day visit to Rwanda. Their mission focused on exchanging insights concerning post-war recovery, transitional justice, and women’s roles in peacebuilding, particularly as they hope for an end to the war in Ukraine. They aim to foster women’s involvement in the nation’s rebuilding efforts through collaborations with NGOs and community groups.

During their Rwandan visit, the six-member team engaged in various activities to learn about Rwanda’s recovery following its 1994 genocide. They met with Rwandan legislators, civil society figures, and visited key sites, such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where they gained understanding of Rwanda’s extensive reconstruction following devastation. The delegation reflected on how Rwanda’s economy was rebuilt following the liberation struggle by the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF).

The ongoing war in Ukraine against Russia, now in its third year, has compelled Ukrainian women leaders to seek lessons from Rwanda’s recovery process. Hosted by Aegis Trust Rwanda, the Ukrainian delegation shared key takeaways emphasizing the significance of rooting justice and reconciliation solutions within their local context. Alina Miakenka, a human rights activist and co-founder of The Day After, stressed the importance of understanding justice and peace, having experienced the complexities of Rwanda’s historical trauma.

Miakenka highlighted Rwanda’s Gacaca courts as a unique model for justice and reconciliation. She advocates for Ukraine to develop its own solutions, reflecting on local history and mentality. Observing the unity prevalent in Rwandan society, she noted that this cohesion extends from governmental policies to grassroots initiatives and stressed the crucial role of youth in peacebuilding efforts.

The delegation recognized Rwanda as an exemplary model for women’s empowerment, particularly in leadership roles. Miakenka pointed out that women must actively participate in decision-making processes beyond traditional roles and emphasized the need for policies in Ukraine to bolster women’s leadership in post-war reconstruction. Upon returning home, they plan to produce policy papers and engage with various stakeholders to promote women’s integration in recovery initiatives.

Another co-founder, Anna Nikolaienko, reflected on her previous encounters with Rwanda and recognized the significance of women’s representation in parliament. She discussed the need for internal reconciliation among Ukrainian communities and recognized that while the nature of their conflicts differs, the underlying human pain remains similar.

Nikolaienko also highlighted Rwanda’s emphasis on inclusion across all demographic sectors, contrasting it with her prior assumptions that peacebuilding was solely an elite-level process. She appreciated the proactive stance of Rwandan women in leadership, noting their confidence and perpetual support from male counterparts. Another team member, Iryna Drobovych, pointed to the trends of war crimes across conflicts, specifically in relation to sexual violence, advocating for the documentation and evidence preservation essential for future justice.

Drobovych stressed the importance of addressing sensitive topics like mental health and community reintegration for women affected by war-related violence and emphasized the necessity to break the silence surrounding these issues.

In summary, the Ukrainian women leaders’ visit to Rwanda served as an enlightening experience focused on post-war recovery and women’s integral role in rebuilding efforts. By absorbing insights from Rwanda’s recovery, the delegation aims to enhance women’s participation in Ukraine’s recovery, as they advocate for localized and inclusive solutions. Their reflections highlighted the importance of unity and comprehensive engagement from all societal levels in peacebuilding, paving the way for stronger women’s representation in future initiatives.

Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw