Cindy McCain: Rwanda’s Women Are Leading the Way
July 28th, 2008 at 11:38 am | posted by Virginia SimmonsCindy McCain penned an op-ed for today’s Wall Street Journal about her recent trip to Africa and the “women are at the forefront of the physical, emotional and spiritual healing that is moving Rwandan society forward.”
Some excerpts:
“It is a humbling experience to be in the presence of those who have such a capacity for forgiveness and care. It is also instructive. If wealthy nations want their assistance programs to be effective, they should look to the women who form the backbone of every society. With some education, training, basic rights and empowerment, women will transform a society — and the world.”
“Women today make up a disproportionate percentage of the Rwandan population. In the aftermath of the genocide, they had to head households bereft of fathers. They had to take over farms, and take jobs previously done by men. But there were opportunities, too: Today, 41% of Rwandan businesses are owned by women…Rwanda today has the world’s highest percentage of female legislators.”
“Perhaps it is fitting that a nation so wracked by death could give birth to a vibrant new age. I know that one thing is clear: Through their bold and courageous actions, these women should inspire not only their fellow Africans, but all individuals — men and women — across the globe.”
Read Cindy’s full op-ed here.
July 28th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
All the progress is Rwanda reminds me of the old axiom:
“Focus on the problem, and the problem increases. Focus on the solution, and the solution increases.”
By focusing on solutions and looking ahead, rather than remaining immobilized in old pain, Rwanda has been able to pave the way for a new era, and a new generation free from old hatreds.
Of course, the pain of what happened is there. No sensible person is saying to pretend it isn’t.
But putting the focus on _solutions_ makes all the difference in what happens tomorrow.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Paul, you are exactly right. Another way I have heard it stated is If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Some people misinterpreted my comment on another blog that no matter what the tragedy a person personally suffers, life goes on. You either move on with life, or stay rooted in the past. The people of Rwanda should be given all the credit in the world for focusing on the solutions to the problems confronting their country. I agree that the pain of what happened will always be there, but just as the Jewish people have resolved “Never again” so have the people of Rwanda. Those that have survived the atrocities and have made the decision to move on with their lives are my heroes.
July 29th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Agreed! : ]
It’s not a case of simpleminded optimism (as critics would like to argue), but rather the ability — the necessity, even — to rise above the circumstances of the past and move boldly ahead to a better future.
Everybody has a story; something painful in their past. Admittedly, most not as horrific as the that of the victims of Rwanda.
But we all have a choice: To stay mired in fear and resentment (the past), or move ahead by working toward higher spiritual ideals, which are really the only thing can free us, psychologically and spiritually.