A study led by McGill University researchers offers insights into intergenerational memory and the experiences of children born of conflict-related sexual violence and their mothers in post-genocide Rwanda.
"These children are often referred to as 'children of hate,' and are often seen as living reminders of the brutality of genocide," said lead researcher Myriam Denov, a professor at McGill's School of Social Work and the Canada Research Chair in Children, Families and Armed Conflict. "Yet, what we found was a profound story of empathy, love and resilience." Denov's study, published in the Journal of Gender Studies, offers insights into the ways in which these Rwandan mothers and children have sought justice and built relationships with one another despite facing stigma, economic and social discrimination, and violence from their families and communities.
The researchers found that many mothers struggled with feelings of guilt and ambivalence toward their child due to the circumstances of their conception. The mothers also described finding it difficult and painful to talk to their offspring about their experiences of sexual violence. Yet, growing up, their children wanted to know the truth about their birth origins and why they didn't have a father. When mothers managed to disclose their histories of sexual violence, some found that their bond with their child was stronger as a result. Many of the children showed a deep empathy and compassion toward their mothers.
It is estimated that 250,000 to 500,000 women and girls in Rwanda experienced some form of sexual violence during the Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. Many were the victims of gang rape. The number of children born as a result of sexual violence is estimated at 10,000 to 25,000.
The findings are based on interviews with 44 Rwandan women who bore children after having been raped and interviews and group discussions involving 60 youth born of the conflict-related sexual violence. Several youth were hired as co-researchers and involved at every step of the research process and continue to be active in the research. When the interviews took place in 2016, the youth were 19 to 21 years old and their mothers were ages 33 to 52.
Most of the children lived with their mothers and didn't know the identity of their fathers. This often impeded the children's access to education (some Rwandan school registration forms require a father's signature), social acceptance and upward mobility.
Children born of rape often reported being ostracized, rejected, beaten and victimized by their families, neighbours and the broader community, the researchers said. Many learned the truth about their biological origins from family or neighbours, including through insults (such as being called "little killers").
Many youths found comfort, belonging and acceptance with one another, forming peer support networks with other youth born of sexual violence who often became like family, the researchers noted.
"In Rwanda, more than 30 years after the genocide, these intergenerational memories continue to linger - both piercingly and silently - in daily life," said Denov. "Although many of the youth we spoke with would like to be recognized formally as victims of the genocide against the Tutsi, they have been largely invisible in post-genocide reparation initiatives. It is my hope that this research can amplify their voices to incite understanding, recognition and change."
Note
Out of concern about the potential impacts of the study, the youth participants were offered free monthly group counselling sessions led by a Rwandan psychologist for eight months following data collection. Mothers and youth could contact the psychologist for additional support.
About the study:
"Remembering to Forget: Intergenerational Memory for Rwandan Women Survivors of Genocidal Rape and Children Born of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence" by Myriam Denov and Shu-Hua Kang was published in the Journal of Gender Studies
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2025.2527699
Funding
This research was funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts (Killam Program), the Canada Research Chair Program and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.
