They Why and How by Caitlan S.

Caitlan S.

Rusizi District, Western Province 


The other day, some kids came up to my house and asked for food, "Mpa ibiryo." Usually, I say there isn't enough for them or just simply no, but that day I decided upon a different approach. I asked why, "Kureba iki?" Instead of giving me a reason they simply looked confounded and said, "Bye!"

One of the most difficult aspects about teaching and living in Rwanda can be the lack of critical thinking. I'm not sure how cross cutting a lack of critical thinking is across the developing world, Africa, or even East Africa, but it is a striking difference between students in the United States of America and Rwanda. It is also one of the biggest impediments when striving for true gender equality.

In Rwanda's 'Vision 2020' the government has put a large emphasis on gender balance, and every student and Rwanda can spout off the term and describe its meaning. However, the practice of gender balance is much harder to see.

Throughout the past year and a half of my service, I've tried asking my students why things are the way they are. At first it's difficult. As seen by the kids asking for food, it isn't a common question. In relation to gender and the roles of men and women in Rwanda most students have never truly thought about why girls are destined to be mothers and caretakers of the household and why boys are expected to provide money for the entire family. It's a heavy burden on both sexes, and it's the first step in addressing gender equality. Even more difficult seems to be the how. "How can gender roles change?" When I asked this during a lesson, I received blank stares for probably 5 minutes.

As a committee for Peace Corps Rwanda, GAD is trying to put together the materials and resources to help PCVs address this issue. We are trying to create lessons and activities that provide a setting for both boys and girls to look at the "how" and "why" of gender*. It's not an easy task, but I do believe it is the first step towards behavior change. Before there can be true gender balance in Rwanda both sexes must take a hard look at why things are the way they are and make a choice to change for the better. Not all aspects of gender must change in Rwanda, but many should. It is not until boys can understand the effects of violence that they can stop the violence in their homes. It is not until girls learn to speak for themselves that they will be comfortable to change their futures.

We must begin asking the difficult questions. It is the Why and How that will create a paradigm shift in terms of gender roles in Rwanda.

*A curriculum specific to boys will be coming out in the next month and PCVs are welcome to use the International Women's Day Toolkit which is available in the IRC at the Peace Corps Rwanda office.