The Power of Rwandan Women: A Look at the Role of Women in Society from the Nyiginya Kingdom to Today Público

Abstract

This thesis explores gender and power in Rwanda from the end of the Nyginya Kingdom, 19thcentury, to present-day Rwanda. Prior to colonialism elite women in Rwanda held a role in society that was not entirely equal to but was close to being on a par to that of their male counterparts. Using the stories of queens’ Nyiramongi and Kanjogera, I illustrate the power that elite women could cultivate over the kingdom. Belgian colonialism created spaces for particular women to thrive while decreasing other women’s opportunities. It also brought with it another version of patriarchy relative to what had existed before in Rwanda. The establishment of the Foyers Sociaux provided a platform through which Rwandan women were pushed into the domestic sphere, a space that was defined according to European norms. Using current-day demographics, I attempt to understand how women hold power within Rwandan society today. An interview with a former minister of Rwanda reveals what it is like being a female leader today. Without access to individuals at local levels, research on local organizations led by women attempts to reveal the role and work of women at non-governmental levels of society. A historical approach reveals that women have played a role in state-building throughout Rwandan history, and it is incorrect to assume that only after the genocide women have become powerful stakeholders in all levels of society.

Table of Contents

Chronology ..............................................................................................................................1

Introduction .............................................................................................................................2

Positionality/Limitations .........................................................................................................4

Literature Review: Gender in Anthropology, Gender in Sub-Saharan Africa, Neoliberalism,Neoliberalism and NGOs in the Global South, Neoliberalism and ‘NGOization’ .................. 7

Part I: Pre-colonialism ........................................................................................................... 21

The Nyiginya kingdom and Queen Mothers..............................................................21

Nyiramongi becomes a queen .................................................................................... 24

Nyiramongi and her akazu ........................................................................................ 24

Nyirauhi Kanjogera and the ‘Coup d’État de Rucunshu’ .......................................... 25

The King and Kanjogera disagree..............................................................................26

European influence on gender roles : Les Foyers Sociaux .......................................28

Création des Foyers Sociaux......................................................................................29

Rwandan Independence ............................................................................................32

Two women on a path to success...............................................................................32

Part II: Demographics and the genocide ................................................................................ 35

Post-genocide reconstruction and emphasis on gender..................................37

Former Minister of Health Agnès Binagwaho on Health, NGOs, and Gender ........39

Women in political positions at local levels, local organizations .............................. 45

The Nyamirambo Women’s Center (NWC) ............................................................. 49

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 49

References .............................................................................................................................53

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	African Studies
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Women's Studies African Studies History, African
Palavra-chave	Rwanda
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Adriana Chira , Emory University
Committee Members	Peter Little , Emory University Benjamin Twagira , Emory University

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