Citation

Woolner L, Denov M, Kahn S, Mwiliriza J, Karikwera C. Violence Against Women 2019; 25(6): 703-720.

Affiliation

Tubahumurize Association, Kigali, Rwanda.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801218801110

PMID

30289024

Abstract

The 1994 Rwandan genocide was characterized by brutal acts of widespread sexual violence against women that, for some, led to unwanted pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood. This study explores the perspectives and experiences of 44 Rwandan women with children born of genocidal rape through in-depth qualitative interviews. Emerging from the data are the themes of identity and belonging, ambivalence, and truth-telling in the mother-child relationship.

FINDINGS highlight the lasting and intergenerational legacy of genocidal rape, and practice and policy implications are discussed.

Language: en

Keywords

Rwandan genocide; motherhood; sexual violence