Govhar is a member of the War Studies Department at King’s College, London. She wrote this piece as part of her internship with Arts4Refugees. Her motivation was to help her peer group understand the unique experiences of post-conflict communities. This article was edited by Cassia Jefferson, a fellow student journalist from Oxford University.
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Why Improving Education Is a Crucial Stepping Stone for Post-conflict Rwanda
Next year will mark 30 years since the end of the civil war in Rwanda. The conflict was characterised by horrific violence and extreme turbulence. Close to a million people died in the genocide and their deaths continue to impact the present population (Reuters, 2019). Children were left without their parents and around 100,000 were forced to become primary caregivers for their siblings (UNICEF, 2004). Furthermore, loved ones who left the country were separated from their neighbours or friends.
Statistics only tell part of the story. Historians, politicians, and the public must continue to reflect on the civil war as its impact reverberates across generations and shapes Rwanda’s society today. We must consider how these communities altered and which institutions have emerged in the aftermath. Much has changed over the past three decades while new hardships and obstacles have presented themselves.
However, there have also been opportunities for change and redevelopment. Such is the case for the role of education in Rwandan society – particularly its impact on the female population. Education has been a catalyst for inclusivity and innovation through giving women a platform and allowing their opinions to be heard better in political debates,
Education alone cannot solve all problems in a post-conflict community. No system of learning or teaching (anywhere in the world) is without its faults. I do not believe that discrimination against women is solved overnight. However, this article highlights how education can work with long-term projects (like political engagement and a fair distribution of economic resources) to contribute to the peace building process.
What are the key goals for women’s education in a post-conflict society?
Education can open doors for women, including enabling financial independence – knowing that you can find a job and rely on yourself – or allowing women to become more curious about the world. It can allow women to feel independent from male figures in their lives – whether that is a father, brother, or romantic partner. There is nothing wrong with individuals choosing to be wives or mothers, yet when women feel pressured to fit a specific ideal, they can lose any sense of control over their own future. Education provides long-term stability by equipping them with knowledge for the rest of their lives. That knowledge is an asset in many everyday situations – whether you are a farmer trying to maximise profits or a mother teaching children to read.
Female empowerment can only occur when there is an incentive for women to become better educated. Will the government support women with funding or grants? Are there career prospects which can benefit her and the family? Will she feel ostracised or supported by her community? How can local or national politics support her efforts? These questions deserve answers. An educational system is only successful with clear and actionable goals. This initial discussion is based on abstract ideas. However, these have real consequences for women in Rwanda and elsewhere.
In Rwanda, research has shown that the conflict altered the average age at which women got married. Prior to the genocide, this ranged from 20-25, yet dropped to low as 15 after the conflict began (United Nations, 2016). In parallel to this, it is interesting to note that education fell by the wayside during the war. To be clear, education alone cannot change cultural norms or expectations. However, education allows women more freedom and time to choose marriage or motherhood, and there is likely a link between the drop in education rates during the conflict and the change in average marital age discussed above.
Education provides a safe space for women to express their ideas and focus on expanding their intellect. They become more well-rounded citizens, not because they can recite texts or solve complex equations, but because they can become critical thinkers. This empowers women to think for themselves and not rely on the men in their lives. In Rwanda, the First Lady (Jeannette Kagame) has established a foundation to increase the number of women in education, helping female citizens to access the tools to improve their personal agency in decision making processes. Of course, husbands, fathers, or brothers can still be abusive or violent and improving female education should work alongside other measures and not by itself.
How can education implement these goals?
UNICEF has asserted that education in Rwanda is better than in other countries in eastern Africa. For instance, only 2% of children have not been enrolled in junior school (UNICEF). According to the Center for Global Development, the gap in education between girls and boys has closed as of last year. Much has changed since 1994 when students returned to school to find lost classmates, destroyed buildings, and ruined textbooks.
In spite of this, more work is still required to improve circumstances. The main issue is retaining students. For instance, almost 30% of students will not complete junior school (UNICEF). In addition, girls have a higher probability of leaving school than their male counterparts. The facts might appear disheartening, yet we should view them as opportunities for reflection. They give politicians a clear idea of where efforts need to be focused.
There is already good news. Since 2003, the first six years of junior school were free for all students to attend, which sets a political precedent for free education. In the future, the government could expand this to include more years. In 2021, the government created a strategy for creating a more inclusive system for women. There is no way to predict the future or how successful these efforts will be. Politicians, activists, and the public must continue campaigning for women and their rights.
Why education continues to be important?
Improving education is a crucial next step in post-conflict Rwanda because it can be a powerful tool for female empowerment. More knowledge can create job opportunities, strengthen critical thinking skills, and increase self-confidence. A more inclusive educational system will require the government and the public to collaborate. There is no perfect educational system and inequality is hard to eradicate entirely, yet having the same educational foundation for each student will help level the playing field.
The genocide left deep scars on both society and culture. Thus, teaching must be inclusive and respectful, creating space for different experiences or backgrounds to coexist. It does not matter how wealthy or powerful your family is. Everyone deserves a good and consistent education. This was not possible for survivors of the civil war, who grew up too quickly and had little time to enjoy their childhood.
The present and future generations deserve more opportunities than their ancestors. Education can provide a safe space to be curious, while also helping to encourage compassion and awareness among children. When parents feel pressured or overwhelmed, teachers can be a support system for their pupils. In an ideal world, every student would feel supported and appreciated in the classroom.
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