Nurturing Sustainable Peace: Unveiling the Integral Role of Women in Rwanda’s Peacebuilding Endeavors

Abstract

The salient prominence of women’s potential in contributing to peacebuilding initiatives has garnered notable recognition at national, regional, and international echelons. The discernment of pivotal concerns germane to women, peace, and security has equally captivated the focal point of interventions within international development. This resonance emanates from the stark reality that women continue to bear the brunt of conflict’s impact, particularly pronounced in the most perilous conflict-ravaged zones. This paper examines the pivotal role women assumed in Rwanda’s peacebuilding endeavors, elucidating the profound impact of their engagement on the nation’s enduring stability. To comprehensively grasp the challenges confronting women in their pursuit of peacebuilding initiatives, this study accounts for national, regional, and institutional agreements and an extensive array of pertinent reports. It contends that intense conflict, exemplified in Rwanda and the wider Great Lakes region, has raised women’s awareness of the need for decisive conflict resolution and amplified recognition of their key role in fostering enduring peace. At this juncture, the study unearths those formidable barriers that impede women’s agency in advancing peace, often manifesting as male counterparts obstructing their participation in peacebuilding. The leadership of peace campaigns and the facilitation of ‘dialogues’ emerge as modalities for cultivating intercommunity reconciliation among factions entangled in conflict dynamics. Central to the fabric of this investigation is an underscored emphasis on women’s empowerment, positioning them as indispensable stakeholders in the orchestration of peacebuilding endeavors.