The Children
The Legacy of Genocide
“According to a survey of three thousand children done by UNICEF, 80 percent of children interviewed experienced a death in the family during the period of the genocide; 70 percent witnessed a killing or an injury; 35 percent saw other children killing or injuring other children; 88 percent saw dead bodies or body parts; 31 percent witnessed rape or sexual assault; 80 percent had to hide for protection; 61 percent were threatened that they would be killed;
and 90 percent believed that they would die.”
- Human Rights Watch
“The children of Rwanda witnessed unspeakable violence. Tens of thousands lost their mothers and fathers. Thousands were victims of horrific brutality and rape. The impact of the tragedy simply cannot be overstated.”
- UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy
The 1994 genocide and civil war had a devastating effect on every facet of Rwandan society. Every young person in Rwanda was impacted; some lost their parents and siblings, others are now caring for elderly relatives that were infected with HIV/AIDS. Many other young people played a role in the violence themselves and are now coping with the trauma of their brutal, often coerced, actions.
Today, the children of Rwanda bear a large portion of the burden of the social, cultural, and economic repercussions. Children often must shoulder responsibility at a very young age for the welfare of their younger siblings or of disabled or elderly family members. As sole survivors of their families, other children lack the support network that enables young people the world over to go to school and prepare themselves for a brighter future. Many young people also face debilitating social disgrace from being linked to the violence of 1994 because of their own actions or genocide-related crimes committed by family members.
Background Information:
Human Rights Watch
Rwanda: Ten Years After the Genocide