ABSTRACT
For women rescuers and perpetrators, the post-genocide trajectories shaped by this relative anonymity are uniquely gendered. Anonymity for many women began as soon as the genocide ended when efforts to rebuild rehabilitate, and reconstruct the country did not sufficiently take these women into account. The international community shared this gendered blindspot. In the immediate post-genocide period (mid-1994-95), emergency humanitarian assistance was largely directed to relief efforts in the refugee camps in neighbouring countries. The emphasis on justice in post-genocide Rwanda overshadowed in-depth examination of acts of rescue during the genocide. Women rescuers faced significant problems in post-genocide Rwanda, sometimes as a result of their bravery or eventual recognition, but also due to their sex. Women rescuers who lived alone were more likely to report feeling unsafe. Investigation and recognition of women rescuers provide an opportunity to celebrate and emulate the women who rejected the culture of genocide and took a stand against the murderers.
