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SEVOTA, an initiative for the development of widows and orphans of the Genocide, victims of rape, and children born of it, is pushing for an indemnity fund for women who were raped during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The founder of SEVOTA, Godeliève Mukasarasi, told The New Times women raped during the Genocide need to be indemnified considering that they are still suffering from loss and damages including HIV/AIDS and financial constraints, among others.
“The women who were raped during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi are still suffering from both physical and emotional wounds. Some were infected with HIV/AIDS; others have permanent disabilities as their private parts were cut.
“They face persistent trauma. This is a big challenge that impedes their development. They need sustainable treatment. They need to cater for their children born out of rape and children they bore after the Genocide,” she said.
The initiative is currently catering to over 400 women and their children.
“The indemnity is needed and should be based on particular genocide effects. For instance, HIV infection. The compensation could help such women care for themselves and their children,” she noted.
Mukasarasi said there is a need for discussions on how the compensation can be put in place.
“United Nations and its affiliated organisations should play a big role in indemnifying women raped during the Genocide as it did it in Sierra Leonne, Bosnia, and other countries. This can be done through the Government of Rwanda,” she said.
The proposal was recently presented to the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Mukasarasi said.
“The Government of Rwanda did a lot in ensuring the welfare of Genocide survivors which works like reparation,” she said.
In 2018, the dissolved National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) told a parliamentary commission that women who were raped and some even infected with HIV during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi should be given ‘special status’ to help them cope with the traumatic experience they went through.
Dr Jean-Damascène Bizimana, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, informed the committee that though the rape victims are considered as survivors, the subsequent children are not, something that he says should be looked into.
“These children are suffering from the consequences of the Genocide. The Ministry of Local Government should look into helping them so that those who need to study are supported, those who want to come up with projects through institutions like BDF are also helped so that they can advance themselves,” Bizimana said.
Institute of Peace
Mukasarasi, told The New Times they are also mobilising funds to set up an Institute of Peace to be able to teach Genocide history in Rwanda.
The solidarity’s mission is to contribute to improving the moral, social, political, cultural, and economic life of its beneficiaries.
It seeks to promote activities related to peace, reconciliation, and the promotion of human rights — specifically the rights of women and the rights of vulnerable children— by creating spaces for dialogue and capacity-building.
