SURF Rwanda Team Supports Survivors of Genocide Rape During 31st Commemoration
Rubavu District, Rwanda – April 2025
As part of the 31st Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, the Survivors Fund (SURF) Rwanda team conducted a solidarity visit to Gisenyi in Rubavu District in the Western Province of Rwanda, to support and honor women survivors of genocide rape. The initiative was a heartfelt gesture of remembrance, resilience, and empowerment.
The visit aimed to express solidarity with survivors during this reflective period and to provide tangible support to help strengthen their economic independence. The SURF team engaged with 18 women survivors, all participants in our Foundation Rwanda programme, and listened to their experiences and heard more about the daily challenges they face in sustaining their livelihoods.
These courageous women are currently involved in a range of small-scale businesses including farming, food vending, and petty cross-border trade. To help reinforce their efforts, SURF provided financial assistance totaling Rwf 1,800,000 (£1,000) – equivalent to Rwf 100,000 (£50) for each beneficiary. This support is intended to help them purchase essential equipment, raw materials, and supplies needed to expand their businesses.
By investing in their economic resilience, SURF reaffirms its long-standing commitment to survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi and continues to advocate for their dignity, healing, and future self-reliance.