Fighting to Survive A report on the experiences of female former child soldiers living in Rwanda Heather Baldwin Africanist Doctoral Candidate Fellow, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Road Map Background Background Methodology Methodology Data Data Policy Implications Policy Implications

Background “1 st war” 1994 “1 st war” 1994 –Genocide and civil war –Did not have as much impact in Kudoda “2 nd war” “2 nd war” –War of the infiltrators –Influenced by Civil War in Zaire –Ex-FAR and Interhamwe trying to take Rwanda back from the RPF began incursions into Northwest Rwanda

Background of Kudoda Human Rights Violations in Kudoda during the second war Human Rights Violations in Kudoda during the second war –1997: RPA killed 95 detainees –1998: RPA implemented “scorched earth” policy –1998: Large group of returnees disappeared by RPA –1998: RPA killed over 300 unarmed civilians

Methods Definition of a Child Soldier Definition of a Child Soldier Finding the Girls Finding the Girls –Rwanda’s “invisible soldiers” –7 young women between the ages of Interview process (3 interviews) Interview process (3 interviews) –Background –Clarification and begin to talk about Trust –Trust

When the Girls Joined the Army After fleeing Rwanda (4) After fleeing Rwanda (4) While still in Rwanda (2) While still in Rwanda (2) Joined the official police force in Rwanda but went into hiding during the 1994 genocide and war (1) Joined the official police force in Rwanda but went into hiding during the 1994 genocide and war (1)

Why the Girls Joined the Army Death of parents or spouses (6) Death of parents or spouses (6) Inability to find food or shelter (6) Inability to find food or shelter (6) Fear of being killed (3) Fear of being killed (3)

In the Army: Duties Cooked for the soldiers in the camps (6) Cooked for the soldiers in the camps (6) Carried Supplies for Soldiers(1) Carried Supplies for Soldiers(1) Served as bodyguard to Battalion Commander and a Spy (1) Served as bodyguard to Battalion Commander and a Spy (1) Grew food for the soldiers (1) Grew food for the soldiers (1)

In the Army: Living Conditions Advantages of life in the army Advantages of life in the army –Had food for themselves and their children –Soldiers protected them –Supported herself and her family Disadvantages to life in the army Disadvantages to life in the army –Fear of attacks from the RPA –No shelter from the rain –Lack of clean water

In the Army: Relationships with Male Soldiers Positives Positives –Soldiers provided food and clothing –Soldier husbands provided companionship Negatives Negatives –Soldiers raped some women –Soldiers could kill with little provocation

Why the Girls Stayed in the Army Time in army Time in army –Two or more years (5) –1 year (1) –3 months (1) Solution to problems of finding food and facing “insecurity” from war Solution to problems of finding food and facing “insecurity” from war Received salary in police Received salary in police Fear of death if caught planning to escape Fear of death if caught planning to escape

Leaving the Army Escape (5) Escape (5) –Come back through UNHCR as refugees Captured by RPA (2) Captured by RPA (2) –Return to Rwanda through ICRC –No official demobilization process though

Why the Girls Left the Army Rumors of safety in Rwanda Rumors of safety in Rwanda Not happy with life in army Not happy with life in army –Living Conditions –Too much work –Fear of soldiers –Fear of battle Family Obligations Family Obligations

Life Today: Challenges Lack of housing, land, and livestock (6) Lack of housing, land, and livestock (6) Few ways to earn money (6) Few ways to earn money (6) Lack of food (2) Lack of food (2) Problems with taking care of their children(5). Problems with taking care of their children(5). Health problems (1) Health problems (1) Loneliness/Isolation (6) Loneliness/Isolation (6)

Policy Implications Current information on child soldiers tends to focus on: Current information on child soldiers tends to focus on: –Below 12 –Boys –Abductees Some current policies that may not be working in Rwanda Some current policies that may not be working in Rwanda –Priority to return all children back to school –No separate facilities for young women who are being demobilized –General assumption that children are victims and had no choice