Genocide

 

Genocide

Kelley Feehan

Minnesota State University Mankato

Dr. Adriane Brown

4/17/2012

The ways in which genocide impacts women is associated with having an affect on human life, and the topic of genocide is extremely significant as women continue to strive for equality and respect in this world today. The definition of genocide is “the deliberate or systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group (Dictionary.com).  In general, the genocide of women is also associated with other forms of physical torture such as rape, and because of this, it intertwines the emotional and physical turmoil for both the women being victimized and others around them. In order to determine the best ways to evoke positive change, and work toward establishing equal human rights, the topic of genocide must be examined from many angles. Therefore, a discussion on what countries have been and are currently being affected by genocide, the specific ways genocide impacts women, and how activism is used to rebuild the lives of women affected have been included in this paper. Looking at these coinciding issues closely, along with comparing different forms of genocide is needed to work toward determining whether it can lead to the suppression or future triumph of women around the world.  

In most cases, the turmoil of war elicits different acts of violence and unfortunately, women tend to become the innocent victims of such violence. Women in various countries around the world have experienced the pain and torture of genocide including but not limited to Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Guatemala, and thousands of other Muslim and Croat women (Mukamana & Brysiewicz, 2008). According to Sanford (2008), “genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethical, racial, or religious group” (p. 3) These acts of genocide can include murder, mental or physical harm, sexual torture, with the intentions of changing a group and their way of life through the  means of destruction, preventing births, or transferring children from group to group (Sanford, 2008). 

One of the most famous cases of genocide happened in Rwanda during the year of 1994. The Tutsi people were targeted for being the minority amongst the people of Rwanda and were a part of the single most aggressive and quickest slaughtering of the human race of all time. An estimated 800,000 to 1,000,000 men, women, and children were killed in a matter of four months (Mukamana & Brysiewica, 2008).  It is easy to become overwhelmed and shocked when considering the large scale on which this genocide occurred, but one must be reminded that mass murder tends to be considered the most extreme form of genocide (Card, 2003). Rape was also used during this time to humiliate and destroy the souls of the Tutsi women. A minimum estimation of 250,000 women were raped and sexually tortured, often times in the presence of other family members.  Needless to say, the tragedy of the Rwanda genocide in 1994 was horrific and would be considered by some to be extreme un-human behavior.  After the killing ended, people were able to mourn the loss of loved ones but the government disallowed the formal ceremonies for those who were raped or sexually tortured (Mukamana & Brysiewica, 2008). 

      Breaking down how the Rwanda genocide impacted women involves multiple factors.  The women who survived genocide have faced multiple obstacles including “violation of perceived inferiors, loss of dignity and respect, loss of identity, social isolation, loss of hope for the future, the ongoing torture of caring for rape babies, and struggle in establishing and redeveloping of a sense of community amongst their people (Mukamana & Brysiewica, 2008 p. 1).  All of these factors can still be considered to affect the women of Rwanda to some degree because the tragedy will never be forgotten.  Naturally, this act of genocide will be viewed by some as symbolizing a setback, virtually undoing many of the promising strides women have taken to gain equal rights and respect over the years.  However, as time passes, women in this region of Africa and around the world can use this important piece of their history to move forward and focus on making progress toward building the strength needed for the progression of women’s rights and equality.

Genocide has occurred in other countries in the past, but because Rwanda happened on such a large scale, coupled with world wide media coverage, it has been brought to the forefront.  It is important that feminists and other women around the world today, seek to improve the lives of those who have fallen victim to genocide.  Equally important, is to realize and recognize that this horrible type of torture and killing has happened in multiple other countries and unfortunately, silence by both media and individual community members has most likely contributed to its continuation. Without reporting and investigation, change within the countries of impact cannot occur. Seeking out, and making efforts toward a positive change for victims will help to prevent new victims from genocide and rape which is vital for future generations.  Today, especially those living in the United States, many women have the chance to have an impact on the lives of others and can turn past tragedies into a window of opportunity for positive change. 

The women and people of Guatemala have experienced the tortures of Genocide for several years. Since the 1980’s, thousands of women have been executed at a rate of 42 per 100,000 (Sanford, 2008). Although the killing of women in Guatemala peaked in the 1980’s, alarmingly, this peak was seen again during the mid 2000’s. In comparison to the genocide occurring in Rwanda, lack of government structure and enforcement has played a large role in the initiation and continuation of genocide of the Guatemalan people. The year of 2004 was the first time Guatemalan troops were accused in a court of law for the killing of the people living in a village named Plan de Sanchez which took place during the year of 1982. Justice for the people killed and their families was delayed for an incredible twenty two years. The gap in crime occurrence and crime punishment due to the country’s loose government control, poorly structured justice system, and lack of criminal investigation is totally unacceptable and directly relates to the continued genocide of the women in Guatemala today. However, the significance of the court’s ruling was vital because, for the first time, genocide was recognized as a punishable crime which is the first step in the direction of equal rights for women (Sanford, 2008).

Unlike the genocide in Rwanda, cultural influences took a back seat to physical profiling which, in Guatemala, includes women consisting of being between 17 and 30 years old, beautiful, and successful. The death of these women has been “silently” occurring for three decades in the country of Guatemala. Although the number of women being killed has followed peaks and valleys, the totality of women murdered over a period of thirty years is extremely significant. Due to this fact, most Guatemalan women have been living in fear for their whole lives due to being specifically targeted because gender profiling is considered to be, by some, a form of emotional torture through the avenues of male dominance (Sanford, 2008). The discussion and examination involving the differences and similarities of the events surrounding genocide in regards to women in both Rwanda and Guatemala sheds light on the reasons why awareness is important. The comparison depicts how around the world, genocide toward women may be occurring in different forms, but the suppression of women, and the effect on the human spirit is similar.

       Activism is a way to force positive change among groups who have experienced tragedy, loss, or victimization.  The intent of the criminal justice system is to use punishment and consequence as a form of discouraging the killing and torture of women. The goal of law enforcement is also to construct new rules and regulations based on past experiences. Countries with solid criminal justice systems have aimed specifically at helping to prevent against female genocide and torture.  Some countries have previously, or are currently dealing with genocide. These countries include Rwanda, Guatemala, and Yugoslavia, but all of these countries have broken and corrupt governments and are unable to enforce laws for prevention and punishment (Bergoffen, 2006).  The cultural acceptance of violence against women becomes more apparent overtime with the continued lack of law enforcement and thorough criminal investigation.  However, that is not to say that countries with a solid justice system such as the United States are flawless because victimization of women occurs on a regular basis, perhaps just not on the same scale or level as other countries.

Genocide is a form of torture often occurring during times of war.  Women-for-Women is an activist group helping female victims of war in the region of Rwanda, Nigeria, Kosovo, Iraq, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bosnia, and Afghanistan.  Their mission is to provide the support and tools for women in need after the tragedy of war, civil strife, and other various misfortunes, helping them to regain their independence and reestablish self-sufficiency (Women for Women International, n.d.).  Women in more fortunate living situations have the opportunity to help these victims by either donating their time or money.  As women, we must unite together and show support to others because it will empower our current and future generations of women.  Another important aspect is that this group focuses on rebuilding communities through education, sponsorship, providing access to resources, and building life-long skills for success (Women for Women International n.d). These are the key components to creating safe, loving, and healing environments for victimized women.  These activist groups along with solid criminal justice and sustained government integrity are vital in the road to recovery from female genocide. 

      The tragedies of war and conflict force hatred onto innocent victims. Genocide is often the result of war and conflict which fuels the fire for continued and ongoing tragedy. Sound participation from individual women, activist groups, and strong nonprofit organizations along with the backbone of a reliable government and criminal justice system, countries around the world can begin to move forward, support past victims, and prevent any future victims of genocide.  Utilizing past experiences in relation to future actions is a valuable message.
Allowing for forward movement toward safer, happier, and healthier lives, women must use the topic of genocide to build hope and strength.  This will allow women to forge ahead in the process of attaining equal rights and building the respect and dignity which is deserved by the women in this world today.

References

Bergoffen, D. B. (2006). From Genocide to Justice: Women's bodies as a legal writing pad. Feminist Studies, 32(1), 11-37.

Genocide. (n.d.). The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Retrieved April 02, 2012, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/genocide

Mukamana, D., & Brysiewicz, P. (2008). The lived experience of genocide rape survivors in Rwanda. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 40(4), 379-384.

Sanford, V. (2008). From genocide to feminicide: impunity and human rights in twenty-first century guatemala. Journal of Human Rights, 7(2), 104-122.

Women for Women International (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.womenforwomen.org/.

Card, C. (2003). Genocide and Social Death. Hypatia, 18(1), 63-79. Retrieved from: http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.mnsu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=29bf584f-c01a-40de-8475-1059a8836267%40sessionmgr11&vid=26&hid=14