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As the 30th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi continues — both in Rwanda and all over the world–, this year, the spotlight encompassed women survivors and victims, whose resilience tremendously contributed to Rwanda\u2019s rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the harrowing days of the genocide, Tutsi women were targeted mercilessly, with the design to attack their powerful ability to imbue life. Otherwise, the womb. Nevertheless, these women stood tall, representing 70 percent of the surviving population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a couple of years, these details were snubbed, only representing the victims’ sturdiness through “Up Right Men” sculptures installed at genocide memorials and elsewhere in the world. A creation instituted first during the 20th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in 2014.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the creator, Bruce Clarke, the exhibition was his way of putting a positive angle on what Rwanda went through during that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis was my way of looking for a positive angle to represent Rwanda 20 years on. And when I say positive<\/em>, I don’t mean forgetting the suffering but representing Rwanda as standing upright, tall, and dignified,” Bruce emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ten years later, the concept has been revisited to focus on women who despite facing all forms of dehumanisation, are key figures in the country\u2019s recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On 10th April 2024, Dida Nibagwire, Bruce Clarke and partners put together and launched “Les Femmes Debout” play and exhibition at Imbuga City Walk in Kigali, Rwanda. A display that portrayed the stories of women through the slated violence that gripped this landlocked nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Graced by the Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINIBUMWE)- Hon. Dr. Jean Damascene Bizimana, State Minister for Youth-Sandrine Umutoni, German Deputy Head of Mission-Peter Primus, The Ambassador of France to Rwanda- Amb. Antoine Anfre, among other dignitaries, the event stressed the will and determination of Rwandan women before, during, and after the genocide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In her address, Hon. Sandrine Umutoni noted that there was a dire need to give humanity and dignity to the mothers of the nation who were degraded during the 100-day tragedy, saying that this initiative stands as a living testament to their strength, resilience, and enduring spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFrom the remote villages to the cities, from the fields to the walls of parliament, women have not shied away from playing their part in creating change in their nation’s destiny with unwavering determination and courage like no other,\u201d she remarked, pointing out the strong women of AVEGA (Association of Widows of the April Genocide) who became a beacon of hope for each other, and have lived to educate the future generations about their history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The minister further commended the management of L’Espace–the producing Art Center– for their unwavering commitment and dedication to transforming Rwanda\u2019s art space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To accompany the exhibition, a group of female writers and musicians, namely Miziguruka Flies, Andersonne Uwineza, Claudia Shimwa, Bahari Ruth, Carine Poet, Felwine Sarr and more, fully dressed in black entertained the audience through a mesmerizing musical performance with readings on \u2018Upright Women\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the event, attendees had a moment of silence in honour of the genocide victims, as well as a candlelighting session. While the carfree zone, on the other hand, was decorated with sculptures of \u2018Upright Women\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The exhibition is open until 15th April at the Imbuga City Walk and the Genocide Memorial Center in Murambi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the 30th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi continues — both in Rwanda and all over the world–, this year, the spotlight encompassed women survivors and victims, whose resilience tremendously contributed to Rwanda\u2019s rebuilding. In the harrowing days of the genocide, Tutsi women were targeted mercilessly, with the design to attack their<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":5252,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[19,96],"ppma_author":[120],"class_list":{"0":"post-5251","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-culture","8":"tag-featured","9":"tag-women"},"yoast_head":"\n