Ukrainian Women Leaders Draw Inspiration from Rwanda’s Recovery Journey

A delegation of Ukrainian women leaders has visited Rwanda to learn from its post-genocide recovery. They engaged with Rwandan institutions to discuss women’s roles in peacebuilding and transitional justice. The visit emphasized the importance of unity and women’s empowerment for effective recovery strategies in Ukraine amid ongoing conflict. The leaders plan to adapt these insights to enhance women’s participation in their country’s rebuilding efforts.

A delegation of six Ukrainian women leaders representing various sectors recently completed a five-day visit to Rwanda under the foundation The Day After. Their visit aimed to exchange insights on post-war recovery, transitional justice, and the significant role women play in peacebuilding, with hopes for an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine, and a focus on enhancing women’s involvement in rebuilding efforts.

During their stay in Rwanda, the delegation engaged in various activities to better understand the country’s post-genocide recovery. They met with Rwandan parliament members, civil society leaders, and visited Avega Agahozo Village, in addition to touring the Kigali Genocide Memorial. They learned about Rwanda’s rebuilding process following the tragic 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Reflecting on their visits, the delegation shared key insights with The New Times. Alina Miakenka, a human rights activist and co-founder of The Day After, expressed a profound interest in themes of justice and forgiveness. Miakenka highlighted the Gacaca courts as a unique approach to post-genocide justice and emphasized the importance of developing a homegrown solution for Ukraine’s recovery.

She praised the unity inherent at all levels of Rwandan society and stressed the necessity for women’s engagement in leadership roles. Miakenka asserted the need for women to participate actively in peacebuilding, stating, “Women must go beyond traditional roles and engage in broader state affairs.” She noted the lack of sufficient policies in Ukraine to support women in leadership roles.

In plans to bring these lessons back to Ukraine, the delegation aims to create policy papers and collaborate with various entities to enhance women’s engagement in post-war reconstruction. Co-founder Anna Nikolaienko shared her insights on women’s representation in Rwandan parliament and emphasized the importance of internal reconciliation within Ukraine.

Nikolaienko acknowledged the different natures of war crimes in both countries, but also highlighted that the emotional pain experienced is universal. She reflected on how peacebuilding encompasses not only high-level policies but also grassroots efforts within communities.

Furthermore, Iryna Drobovych, another team member, emphasized the common patterns of war crimes, particularly regarding sexual violence, and the need for documenting such atrocities akin to Rwanda’s efforts. Drobovych noted the importance of addressing sensitive issues like mental health and community support for women impacted by war-related violence.

Overall, the visit reinforced the importance of women’s voices in rebuilding efforts and learning from Rwanda’s successful recovery processes. The Ukrainian delegation is committed to applying these insights in their homeland to foster unity and resilience in the face of ongoing conflict.

The recent visit of Ukrainian women leaders to Rwanda highlighted the essential role of women in post-war recovery and peacebuilding. They learned valuable lessons from Rwanda’s recovery process, emphasizing the importance of unity, women’s leadership, and grassroots involvement in peacebuilding efforts. This experience aims to guide their initiatives in Ukraine, where they plan to advocate for women’s inclusion in rebuilding the country following ongoing conflict. The commitment to develop homegrown solutions tailored to the complexities of their own society stands as a critical takeaway from this transformative journey.

Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw