April 1994 has been burned into the memories of countless Rwandans, as close to 1 million people of the Tutsi community were brutally killed by the Hutu people. Violent massacres of members of the Tutsi tribe, as well as the Twa minority and several moderate Hutu, began on April 7, 1994 and lasted for 100 days.
Not only are the devastating mental health effects of such atrocious acts continuing to burden survivors of such unimaginable horror, but research shows that epigenetic changes within the DNA of genocide survivors has been passed on to their children, resulting in intergenerational trauma among individuals who were born after the heinous events that occurred 30 years prior. Intergenerational trauma, persistent symptoms of multiple mental health conditions and the reality of retraumatization related to annual memorial events emphasizes the need for continuous mental health support for the people of Rwanda.
Three decades of mental health research in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide has brought to light significant findings. The initial response in the immediate aftermath entailed the provision of counseling services for survivors, mostly delivered through international aid organizations, due to limited local resources for mental health care and support. Despite country-wide services having increased, present-day statistics still report a mere 16 psychiatrists providing care for a population of 13.5 million. One year post-genocide, an alarming 96% of Rwandans reported symptoms of PTSD as a direct result of witnessing and experiencing severe acts of violence. As of data collected in 2018, 28% of those who survived the 1994 genocide suffer from symptoms of PTSD, in contrast to only 3.6% of the population at large.
Despite data collection and analysis efforts aimed at understanding the events following the genocide, research contributions made by Rwandan scholars only comprised 3.3% of the entirety of data published, a shocking testament to the perpetuation of colonialist influences, even within the field of research. In recent years, study initiatives have been geared towards supporting and amplifying the work of the nation’s scholars, thus, decolonizing genocidal studies, with the hope of informing local policy and reshaping educational programs through community-driven ownership.
The role of memorialization in healing and recovery, whilst creating a space for solidarity and comfort in remembering those who tragically lost their lives, may have an unintended impact on genocide survivors. Commemorations of such an unthinkably painful period in the history of the country has resulted in the triggering of horrendous memories and related physical distress in some survivors. Therapy in the form of conventional psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, medication and counseling is being supplemented by grassroots initiatives, such as the IRIBA Centre for Multimedia Heritage, through the collection and artistic documentation of survivors’ narratives, as a way of safeguarding Rwandan culture and heritage in remembrance of the events of 1994, but also the beautiful nuances of life before the genocide.
By Nehal Rowhani