Working in The Province of Rwanda

The Church Missionary Society (CMS) commenced work in Rwanda in 1914, and the Anglican Province was formed in 1992, and now has nine dioceses.

Since the 1994 genocide, Mothers' Union has worked with the church helping thousands of traumatised people, reconciling the population, restoration of peace as well as rehabilitation. It is also involved in rural development, medical work and education.

With nearly 10,000 members over the country, Mothers' Union strives to offer support and hope for the thousands of women and children who have been affected by the genocide. Many women and children not only lost their families and were driven from their homes but also were victims of rape, abuse and torture. As a result of this, HIV/AIDS has become a common problem and women are struggling to care for their remaining family. Thousands are still in prison and the law is moving very slowly so it is not possible for people to put the genocide behind them.

Mothers' Union all over Rwanda is making efforts to combat the stigma and discrimination involved with HIV/AIDS as well as promoting women's empowerment and leadership skills.

In each diocese Mothers' Union is not only counselling and supporting those with HIV/AIDS but are also educating and encouraging individuals to speak out, to get tested before marriage and to not live in fear of the unknown.

Training courses and workshops are educating people away from local beliefs, counselling individuals to support each other and to deal with the practicalities of those suffering. Shyira Diocese runs an Association named 'Those Who Have Hope' for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The Association allows women to communicate their fears and support each other. Kigali Diocese has also trained 50 Mothers' Union members and Sunday School Teachers to hold seminars for high school students entitled 'Making the right decisions and choices in fighting HIV/AIDS'. Through these seminars they hope to prevent future generations from being affected by HIV/AIDS.

By talking through issues and sharing experiences, many women feel empowered to take control of their lives and shape their own futures. At the Provincial Level, training in leadership skills and building communities for all Mothers' Union Diocesan Presidents and workers has led to a Mothers' Union with united aims and common goals in rebuilding the lives of victims of the genocide.

The Mothers' Union in Cyangugu Diocese is very active working with widows and orphans from the whole community and of all faiths. Last year the Diocese held a succession of workshops to empower the women in the diocese. To help them fight poverty, to raise their awareness of their rights, to improve their self-image especially among the widows, to equip them with leadership skills and to give them the tools to analyse and transform conflict.

They say that justice for women is crucial in their society. They wish that everybody knew their legal rights on such issues as land and family property, in the case of widows especially. The women now trained in these workshops will be able to pass this information on to other women in their communities.

The workshops will also enable the women to plan to reduce poverty, to participate in peace building efforts in their society and to fight HIV/AIDS.