Female Genocidaires During the Rwandan Genocide: When women kill

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Victimisation of women during war, genocide, or mass slaughter has dominated discussions on gender and conflict, often portraying women solely as victims at the mercy of male aggressors. This focus on brutal sexual crimes against women has led to a reluctance to address female accountability in these contexts. While it is crucial to examine these atrocities for reconciliation, this one-dimensional view neglects the complex roles women have played in genocide. Women have been integral in endorsing and perpetrating genocidal violence throughout history. For instance, during the Rwandan genocide, some women not only supported Hutu men but also actively participated in attacks and incited rape. Understanding the suffering of female victims requires acknowledging the roles of both male and female perpetrators. Exploring female agency does not diminish the significance of women's victimisation; rather, it rebalances gender inequality and empowers women. Women in the Rwandan genocide were both victims and perpetrators, agents and symbols. Gender norms that elevate men above women during and after conflict hinder the reconstruction of gender identities in post-genocide societies.