Rwanda.

Since 1994, the country's name has been synonymous with genocide. The numbers are staggering. Estimates say that up to 500,000 women and girls were raped, tortured and physically abused during the genocide. The impact of these horrors is still felt today, but Rwanda is rebuilding now with the leadership of the women.

Women are paying the highest price.
The deaths of over 800,000 people during the 1994 genocide and the displacement of 2,000,000 more left the country 70% female. Over ⅓ of households are headed by women. And 80% of these are run by impoverished widows. Women are raising children that are the result of brutal crimes. Many have sexually transmitted diseases –   in fact over ¼ million children have been orphaned by AIDS alone. Despite the extreme poverty many Rwandans find room in their hearts to adopt as many as 6 orphaned children, treating every child like their own, a mantra of the country and its President, Paul Kagame.

But the Real Story isn't the Suffering …
It's the Rwandan women's ability to triumph over every obstacle. Because of Rwandan women's courage and willingness to speak, for the first time in history, rape is being prosecuted as a war crime. Previously, in post-genocide Rwanda, rape had been considered a third degree crime. What's more, the election of 2003 put 49% of the parliament seats to women, giving women a voice and a platform in which to use it.

 

Generous, Caring Support from Women Like You is Bringing Hope and Healing to Rwandan Women.

Women come to our offices like this:

  • 92% of homes have no electricity
  • 53% of women have only received some primary education
  • Nearly 30% have received no formal education at all
  • 82% do not speak the official language of Rwanda

After just one year in Women for Women International Programs:

  • 50% of women say their ability to read and write has improved
  • 71% say their economic situation is better
  • 49% of the women plan to start their own business
  • 65% say their housing condition has improved
  • 99% of the women feel that their health and their families health has increased
  • 99% say their self-confidence has improve

Donate Today

Women for Women International Programs Really Work!

“… I once even contemplated suicide. Sharing with other women helped me cope better and put a smile on my face." - Gatarina, Women for Women International, Rwanda Participant

When Hamide Latifi, our Kosovo Country Director, visited Rwanda – here is what she saw: "I visited our rights awareness and job skills training classes. How badly these women want to be there! Some of the women walk for hours to attend class, often carrying their babies on their backs… One baby was only five days old! The women look after each other and each other's children with so much care and love, never complaining, determined to use this opportunity as their way out of poverty, isolation and marginalization."

 

Angelique’s Story Angelique Uwimana is 30 year's old and lives with her 3 children; an eight year old daughter, 4 year old son, and the youngest daughter who is 2 years old, and her husband. They live in very poor conditions with 2 or 3 couples and their children living in one tiny house.

When Angelique joined Women for Women International, she started by selling avocados and making 1500fr in profit per week as well as making flower pots to sell.

 

Sponsor Today

 

Your Donation Now Helps Build a Better Nation One Woman at a Time!

Through caring and generous support from women like you, Women for Women International has served over 11,100 women in 18 communities around Rwanda. They have benefited from programs that teach everything from job skills training on marketable skills, to health education and rights awareness classes.

"It was only through this program that I realized I could start my own business" Watch Violette’s story and see how your friendship can transform the lives of women like Violette.

 

 

The Virunga Mountains in Rwanda are home to many endangered animal preserves. It is through this range that many refugees from Rwanda escaped genocide – pouring into the Democratic Republic of the Congo.