Signposts

The rise of Rwanda's women and the extraordinary gains of that country postgenocide are not coincidental. From their new positions, what have Rwandan women leaders accomplished? Working closely with the people responsible for these advancements, part IV, “Signposts,” describes the major achievements in which women leaders have had a strong hand over the past twenty years. It provides an inside look at how they put together and then rolled out an innovative program to stop rape; puzzled over how a political campaign back in villages might take hold or backfire; recognized that easing the pressure of overcrowded prisons required riveting attention. Their achievements are presented thematically, covering topics such as inheritance for girls, equality in marriage, prevention of gender-based violence (including marital rape), female entrepreneurship, wellness and mental health, reproductive rights, and education for girls. Each has required shifts in public policies, as well as changes in widespread attitudes.