Women's Rights are Human Rights: A Rwandan Woman Speaks Out
I
grew up seeing my mother and other women in my community carrying their children
on their back, while working in fields growing food, hunting for firewood and
getting water from ponds so that they can meet lunch and dinner schedules for
their husbands and children. In my community, men were the only ones who had
any leisure time or opportunities to reach their professional goals.
I would like to speak about those women and others who cannot reach their full potential because of societal and cultural limitations.
My country, Rwanda, has already banned beating women. That is a start. I have overcome my past and have hope for all women who continue to struggle to attain their goals.
Featured Guest: Agaba BisengoFrom our featured guest: "I look forward to speaking with you on March 8th from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Eastern."
Question Submitted by Rasheedah:
How do you think your experience and survival of the Rwandan genocide helped to strengthen your passion and work towards equal opportunities for women in your country to be empowered and fight for better human/womens' rights?
Agaba Bisengo answers:
My experience surviving the genocide has strenthened my passion becuase knowing how painful it was and still can be, it would cause anyone to seek for justice for everyone. The genocide happened where both women and men real suffered but more horror things took place mostly on women. Therefore, fighting for justice would give women respect not from themselves but also from those around them too.
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Question Submitted by Emily:
What has been your greatest challenge living as a refugee?
Agaba Bisengo answers:
Living as a refugee was not a such challenge for me since it was all I knew, however after losing my parents at 10 years, then it became a challenge because I had to learn how to survive on my own.
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Question Submitted by Carlotta:
What are the conditions like currently for women in Rwanda? Are women allowed to attend school or have a voice in the current political unrest?
Agaba Bisengo answers:
The condition for women in Rwanda right now is way better. Rwanda is the number one country in world not only Africa but in the world to have most women in leadership. Therefore,yes women can go to school, especally those who can afford it. Still hectic for most though becuase of financial situations.
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Question Submitted by Samara:
What led you to find your voice and speak to these issues in a public forum?
Agaba Bisengo answers:
While in college I shared with my dorm mates once and since then I realized there was so little those students knew based on what I know. Therefore, I decide to open up and may be later on it could help save a soul or more, or help those interested to understand a different life from that of a western. Even help us all understand one another.
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Question Submitted by Denise:
What has been the hardest part of your own "personal" recovery due to the horrors you experienced living In Rwanda during the genocide?
Agaba Bisengo answers:
Losing my parents has been the hardest thing to recove.
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Question Submitted by Jayne:
I support a woman in Rwanda, I worry about her all the time. I support her throught Women for Women. I think she lives in Himbaza. Is it safe for me to travel there now?
Agaba Bisengo answers:
First of all, I real want to thank you for doing that. Yes it is very safe to travel to Rwanda. As matter fact, Americans have the highest record as tourists in Rwanda. They are the most tourist we get in the country every year since 2000. For more information pleace contact:
John Gacinya:202-352-2930, he will send you all kind of information you need to know about Rwanda. Thank you again!
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Question Submitted by Doug Matthews:
How are men adapting to the changing roles of women? If you can generalize, are they being supportive and sharing in household responsibilities? Or are they not?
Agaba Bisengo answers:
Well, some Rwandans became refugees since 1959,1962,1972 and 1994, and after 1994 though most refugees returned home. Those who lived outside all their lives came in with different minds. Especially those who lived in the west at the time have nothing to adjust too or to lose but to continue on with their norm lives. However, for those who lived mostly traditional way are having a hard time but everything has to start somewhere. So Rwandan men are progressing the changes for good.
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Question Submitted by Amanda:
What do you think is the one, most successful, way to reach out and really help women who have fallen victim to these societal and cultural disadvantages?
Agaba Bisengo answers:
First is to give them time, hear them out. There is so much on their heart and if they can let out even a little of it that would wonderful for all. Another way is to off them education, with my education I realized it helped me open up and came to live agian. Education is real the Key I believe.
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Question Submitted by Sue Anne Wrenn:
Dear Ms. Bisengo, I am an experienced psychotherapist who specializes in treating emotional trauma and PTSD. I want very much to come to a refugee camp to treat refugees of the Rwandan genocide.What organization mayI contact to begin the process? I wish I could hear your talk, but have previous commitment.Thanks/BlessU!
Agaba Bisengo answers:
Personal I don't have contacts to any Rwanda refugee camp at the moment however I will ask and see if I can off you any. Please free feel to remind me by email if I don't get the information to you with in a week. My e-mail is agababisengo@yahoo.com
If interested in meeting survivors I know many in DC area who can also use the talk. If you are interested in going to Rwanda to experience how the healing is taking place(International Justice Mission) would be a great organization to work with. I know they work with both healing the victims and also they have worked on many prison cases.
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Question Submitted by Cathy:
How do you keep your strength?
Agaba Bisengo answers:
By faith I live!
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Question Submitted by sandra:
Do your country allow women to vote in elections?
Agaba Bisengo answers:
Yes, women do vote in Rwanda.
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Question Submitted by Kelly:
When you look back to what happened is there anything you would have done differently?? How has this effected your trust in goverment officals??
Agaba Bisengo answers:
Not so much trust in government officals but they are humans. And we are all made to mess up one or another. It's not so much them, its the rules they make and act as if they are so imposable to be change.
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