Rwanda: 'Speaking Helps Us Heal' Says Rwandan Survivor On Genocide Anniversary

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Rwanda began its annual commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis on Tuesday — a period of remembrance for the victims and reflection on the legacy of the killings, as reported by RFI and AllAfrica. For survivor Godelieve Mukasarasi, that past has shaped more than three decades of work helping women who were raped during the genocide, and children born of sexual violence, to rebuild their lives.

Coverage Comparison

The two outlets covering this story — RFI (English) and AllAfrica — presented nearly identical accounts, both focusing on Mukasarasi's personal story and her ongoing work. Neither outlet differed in the facts reported, and both provided the same framing: a reflective and informative tone centered on the survivor's experience and the broader societal impact. The coverage largely mirrors Mukasarasi's own words, as both sources drew from the same interview conducted by RFI.

Key Claims

According to both RFI and AllAfrica, more than 800,000 people, mainly ethnic Tutsis, were killed in about 100 days during the genocide, which began after the assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana on 6 April 1994. The reports note that sexual violence was used on a massive scale, leaving many women traumatised and many children born of rape facing stigma and rejection.

Mukasarasi, a Hutu woman whose Tutsi husband and one of her children were killed during the genocide — which also targeted moderate Hutus — was herself raped. In the years since, she founded the non-profit Sevota, which has supported more than 1,000 women and children, according to both sources.

In her new book, "La Réparatrice" (The Repairer), co-written with French journalist Capucine Graby, Mukasarasi shares her story and describes her work. As quoted by RFI, Mukasarasi explains the title: "Because it reflects the role I gave myself after the genocide. There were shattered lives, destroyed social bonds and invisible wounds among survivors. I do not see myself only as a victim, but as someone who helps rebuild dignity and Rwanda's collective memory."

Both sources also report that around 70 percent of Rwanda's population was born after the genocide, yet its impact is still felt in families, collective memory, and through national commemorations.

A claim appeared in a single source — RFI — that Sevota is building a peace institute, which will include training, education, and meeting spaces, as well as rooms for vocational learning and medical consultations. This detail has not been independently confirmed by other outlets.

Another claim, also carried only by RFI, draws a parallel between the Rwandan experience and the Pelicot trial in France, suggesting a change in how French and international society deals with sexual violence, especially crimes committed under chemical submission. This comparison is presented as Mukasarasi's observation rather than a documented trend.

Perspectives

Godelieve Mukasarasi sees her role as a "repairer" — helping to restore dignity and memory, not just seeking justice. Her words emphasize the ongoing intergenerational trauma, but also the resilience of survivors.

The national context of Rwanda, as conveyed in the reports, acknowledges that a large majority of the population is too young to have lived through the genocide, yet the collective memory remains vivid. The commemoration serves as an anchor for that memory.

International perspective, implicit in the coverage, points to broader conversations about sexual violence in conflict and the need for continued awareness and support for survivors.