The genocide of April 1994 left the Rwandan society completely ruined and the survivors totally disoriented with numerous problems ranging from material deprivation to bodily and psychological injuries. As in other conflicts, especially in Africa, women and children were the most affected by the Rwandan genocide; consequently Rwanda has a sizeable number of widows and orphans. After the genocide, Rwanda witnessed an influx of many non-governmental organizations, which came with the aim to help the Rwandans in general, and genocide survivors in particular, as part of a program to put the Rwandan society back on its feet. Rwanda claims to be overwhelmingly a Christian nation, which theoretically gives the Christian community in Rwanda a prominent hand in all efforts of rebuilding the Rwandan society. This work therefore, is a Case Study, which seeks to investigate the role of Christian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in responding to the needs of genocide widows residing in Kigali-Ville province-Rwanda. The study thus aims to assess efforts of the above-cited Christian NGOs and highlights their success and shortcomings in the light of a Christian model of understanding and responding to human needs. The investigation also surveys the background to the genocide. It focuses on the interpretation of the history of the people of Rwanda, the role impact of the colonial rule and Christian missionaries, and the role of the civil war of early 1990s. The study also investigates the plight of genocide widows from fives angles: economic loss, personal and social relationships, bodily injuries, psychological damage and spiritual welfare. The assessment was carried out through the analysis of the data collected mainly from selected Christian NGOs, genocide widows, churches, and written materials. The paradigm used to critically analyze the response of Christian NGOs has stemmed out of a body of literature that focuses on Christian response to human need, with particular emphasis on the distinctiveness of the Rwandan context. The findings, conclusion, recommendations of this study are of cardinal significance not only to Christian NGOs operating in Kigali-Ville province but also to other groups involved in the ministry to the needy in other parts of Rwanda and beyond her boundaries. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

This thesis examines the persistent widespread discrimination against widows in Uganda and Nigeria that results from mandatory observance of harmful widowhood rituals, interpersonal violence, disinheritance, and forceful deprivation of property in marriage, in violation of and contrary to the provisions of international and regional human rights conventions and domestic laws. The thesis argues that international, regional, and domestic laws have not been effective to address the violation of widows’ rights because the terms in which these laws are expressed are not meaningful at the grassroots level. The thesis proposes social, cultural, economic, and legal measures to address the use of widows as cultural tools. In this thesis, I use the term ‘cultural tools’ to refer to the use of widows in Uganda and Nigeria, as in many other sub-Saharan African countries, as embodiments of cultural identity, especially in most parts of rural areas. Widows are used as tools to perpetuate traditional cultural customs such as widowhood rituals, levirate marriages, disinheritance, and widow cleansing. Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) proclaims that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. This provision is complemented by various international and regional instruments on discrimination and gender equality. Using the Igbo tribe of the Eastern part of Nigeria and the Baganda tribe of Uganda as case studies, my thesis examines to what extent widowhood rites amount to an infringement of the human rights of the widows in most part of the sub-Saharan African countries. The thesis examines the various international, regional, and domestic laws as they apply to or affect Nigerian and Ugandan widows either as a consequence of their status as widows or as members of the community. Thus, in light of the gap between international and state laws, on the one hand, and cultures and customary law on the other hand, this thesis draws insights from the concept of “vernacularization”. This approach combines the views espoused in Sally Engle Merry’s work and argues that to change the cultures and practices of customary law on the ground, initiatives must be taken at the grassroots level.

This study titled: “Mourning Cultural Practice Amongst the Zulu Speaking Widows of the KwaNyuswa Community: A Feminist Perspective” explored how mourning cultural practices contribute towards gender discrimination which results to women oppression. The main aim of this study was to document how cultural practices impact negatively to women. It focused on challenges and consequences that the Zulu speaking widows particularly in the rural areas experience during their mourning period. Within feminism as an umbrella theory underpinning this study, radical approach was employed to address the issue to be investigated since it considers patriarchal practices as a primary cause of women’s oppression (Wills and Ellen, 1994:117). This approach enabled the study to extract the gender imbalances inherent in cultural practices, and to expose widow’s experiences, why they experience what they are experiencing and how do they perceive their experiences. This study employed a qualitative research approach embracing the interpretive paradigm and sought to obtain a rich and deep interpretation of participant’s responses on the topic investigated. A combination of three qualitative data collection methods were used, these were: face to face interviews, focus groups discussion and participant observation. Thirty participants were randomly selected from five districts of KwaNyuswa and that include: key informants, women and men, widows and widowers and these were regarded as people who are knowledgeable and have an experience with the phenomenon studied. Thematic data analysis was used in this study through which four themes were emerged. These themes were derived from participant’s perceptions and experiences which made it possible to meet the research objectives. The findings of this study revealed that the majority of people at KwaNyuswa consider mourning cultural practice as an integral part of their lives irrespective of its constraints or challenges it might have to the people involved. It was clear from this study that the people of this community are very much conservative and stereotyped and they do not consider anything of gender transformation or gender equality. Recommendations were made for social and gender transformation and for some means to improve the widow’s plight. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Exploring age structure in Mediterranean cultures illuminates the social dynamics of intergenerational relationships that became more visible in late first and early second century early Christian texts, and especially in 1 Timothy 5. This was a time of crisis when those with a living memory of the foundations of the movement were almost gone, and the community was scrutinized by outsiders. Since we have relatively few clues related to aging and age structure in the extant texts, a model of generational stability and social change based on ethnographic data helps us to imagine culturally sensitive possibilities that we can then test out as we reread the texts in their Roman cultural context. In his fictive story of Paul and Timothy, the author of the heterographical (pseudepigraphical) letter of 1 Timothy establishes an ideal intergenerational relationship between “Paul” as an older man and “Timothy” as his adult “child.” When the fictive Paul directs Timothy to speak kindly to older people (5:1-2), he introduces a section on age-related issues. Behaviour that was causing concern for public reputation included adult children shirking filial duty (5:4, 8), young widows gadding about in public (5:11-15), and younger men accusing their elders (5:19). These behaviours threatened the reputation and honour of the community and may have been encouraged by the opposing faction. The author’s solution was to reject the opposing teachings and enforce behaviour that reflected proper age structure: adult children should fulfill their filial responsibilities and care for widowed mothers and grandmothers (5:4); young widows should be guided and supported by middle-aged women who were responsible for them in the age hierarchy among women (5:16); middle-aged women should imitate the exemplary behaviour of the enlisted widows who were over 60 years old; and young men were to be rebuked in front of everyone for their disrespect toward elders (5:20). In the face of social change, the author advocates for behaviour reflective of the traditional age structure of Roman society.

The aim of this thesis is to analyze the major themes of female suicide bombers in Chechen widows and Tamil Tigers. For my thesis I chose empirical- analytical methodology and methodology of comparative case studies. In both cases, the first studies dealing with the historical circumstances under which the group is established, the status and role of women in society there, leading motivation to attack their targets and then mention the most important examples of attacks perpetrated by members of the terrorist group. Research suggests that in neither case is not only one motive, but rather a multi-causal phenomenon. Black widows are predominantly motivated by religious and secular motives, specifically the personal motivation because of the death of a loved one, they want revenge. In Tamil Tigers is the main motive separatist when trying to get the rights for the Tamil minority and achieve an independent state of Eelam. Despite the geographical distance and differences in religion can be proportioned to find the same in both groups. Both groups can be seen as a gender dimension - women's efforts to deal with men.

The study into the socio-economic challenges of HIV and AIDS on widowed women in rural communities of Zimbabwe was carried out in the village of Mukadziwashe. The main aim of the study was to find out the socio-economic challenges that are faced by HIV and AIDS widows. Of particular concern has been role played change agent since the dawn of the HIV and AIDS pandemic and its devastating socio-economic impact on families, especially widows. The findings of this study are based on a sample of limited number (12) widows based in the village of Mukadziwashe in Gutu Central District, as well interviews of key informants who happen to be representatives of change agents in the main. In-depth interviews were the tool used to collect information from the research participants identified above. The findings of the study revealed that widows still suffer from the serious social and economic challenges posed by HIV and AIDS such as cultural oppressions and prevention of women from inheriting their late husbands’ wealth The continued denial of women of their constitutionally enshrined rights is difficult to understand, because many studies have been conducted on this subject. It is reasonable to expect noticeable progress in promoting the rights of women, especially widows. What is apparent in this sad story is the mute role of change agents, be they government, non-governmental or community based, in affirming widows’ rights. Based on these observations, the study strongly recommends the design, implementation and constant monitoring of intervention programmes aimed at women empowerment in general. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

The study into the socio-economic challenges of HIV and AIDS on widowed women in rural communities of Zimbabwe was carried out in the village of Mukadziwashe. The main aim of the study was to find out the socio-economic challenges that are faced by HIV and AIDS widows. Of particular concern has been role played change agent since the dawn of the HIV and AIDS pandemic and its devastating socio-economic impact on families, especially widows. The findings of this study are based on a sample of limited number (12) widows based in the village of Mukadziwashe in Gutu Central District, as well interviews of key informants who happen to be representatives of change agents in the main. In-depth interviews were the tool used to collect information from the research participants identified above. The findings of the study revealed that widows still suffer from the serious social and economic challenges posed by HIV and AIDS such as cultural oppressions and prevention of women from inheriting their late husbands’ wealth The continued denial of women of their constitutionally enshrined rights is difficult to understand, because many studies have been conducted on this subject. It is reasonable to expect noticeable progress in promoting the rights of women, especially widows. What is apparent in this sad story is the mute role of change agents, be they government, non-governmental or community based, in affirming widows’ rights. Based on these observations, the study strongly recommends the design, implementation and constant monitoring of intervention programmes aimed at women empowerment in general. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

Thesis (PhD (Pscychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.

De l’aire Romaine au moyen âge et jusqu’à notre époque, ceux qui ont servi la France sous les armes se voient attribuer des avantages en nature et en argent. C’est la loi du 31 mars 1919 qui initie cette reconnaissance et forme le droit à réparation contemporain. Qu’elles soient victimes civile de la guerre ou militaires, victimes d’actes de terrorisme, leurs droit est contenu aujourd’hui dans le code des pensions militaires d’invalidité et des victimes de la guerre. Corpus de règles complexe dans sa mise en œuvre, c’est le Ministère de la Défense et des Anciens Combattants qui répare, témoigne la reconnaissance de la nation et assure une solidarité et la conservation de la mémoire à travers l’Office National des Anciens Combattants (ONAC). Pensions militaires d’invalidité, cartes et titres, décorations, emplois réservés et autres avantages de nature fiscale par exemple composent le panel des avantages accordés aux ressortissants du code des pensions. Les associations d’Anciens Combattants participent au conseil d’administration de cet établissement public tant au niveau national que départemental. Les décisions de concession ou de rejet de pension d’invalidité servies au titre du code des pensions tout comme les décisions concernant les soins médicaux gratuits et l’appareillage, sont susceptibles de recours devant le tribunal des pensions militaires en fonction du lieu de résidence du requérant. Ce Tribunal particulier, désormais régional, siège au Tribunal de Grande Instance (TGI). Les arrêts de la Cour régionale des pensions peuvent être déférés devant le Conseil d’Etat. / From the Roman area to the Middle Ages and up to our time, those who served France under the weapons are granted benefits in kind and in money. The law of 31 March 1919 initiates this recognition and forms the right to contemporary reparation. Whether they are victims civilian war or military, victims of acts of terrorism, their right is contained today in the code of military invalidity pensions and victims of war. Corpus complex rules in its implementation, it is the Ministry of Armies which repairs, testifies the recognition of the nation and ensures solidarity and the preservation of memory through the National Office of Veterans and War Victims (ONACVG). Pensions disabilities, cards and titles, decorations, reserved employment and other benefits of a for example, make up the panel of advantages accorded to nationals of the pensions. Veterans Associations participate on the board of directors of this public institution at both national and departmental level. Concession decisions or disability pension benefits under the Pension Code, as well as decisions free medical treatment and equipment, are subject to appeal before the Court of military pensions court according to the place of residence of the applicant. This Tribunal which is now regional, is hosted by the Tribunal de Grande Instance (TGI). The judgments of the Regional Court of Pensions may be referred to the Conseil d'Etat. While describing the various advantages accorded to nationals of the Pension Code, we shall raise the litigation arising from the application of this evolutive right to reparation while a summary comparison of the arrangements put in place by some of our European neighbors