Kigali - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Not in my experience and knowledge. It might be the only country in Africa that there is only one local language. The memory of genocide is still fresh but it seems to foster a "never again" attitude rather than be a source of hate problems. - Oct 2023
There was the genocide over two decades ago but things have been peaceful since then. - Jan 2022
Not for expats. - Jul 2020
Lately Rwanda and Uganda have been feuding. It's arguably the cause that several Ugandan-owned businesses have closed. White people seem to draw more interest from young kids, but not really ever a problem. - Sep 2019
I have not heard of any. - Jun 2018
There are some remaining, underlying ethnic prejudices in Rwanda, but they aren't always obvious. While Rwanda ranks very high on the gender equality scale in some articles you might find, the reality is quite different. Women here still have it rough. - Dec 2017
There is much room for improvement, but few outright problems. - Jan 2017
Not that I've seen. - Apr 2016
Not that I noticed. - Oct 2014
There are racial undercurrents that run back to the 1990's genocide and it is a paternal society so men hold the power in most households. Expats are approached with curiosity, so it's likely that you will be stared/yelled at when you are in public. The gender prejudice doesn't seem to spill over onto expats. - Jul 2014
None that I have noticed. - Sep 2013
The 1994 genocide left deep scars on Rwandan society, and surface behavior aside, the tensions between Hutu and Tusti will persist for decades, in spite of earnest government efforts to cast aside ethnic differences and unite as Rwandans. Rwandans blame the international community for abandoning them during the genocide, and they are not afraid to let "muzungus" know they are not welcome.
There are no real religious tensions between religious groups in Rwanda, only schisms within religious groups for political reasons. Gender remains an issue in Rwanda, even though many women occupy high government positions. Gender-based violence is far too common, and Rwandan men visibly try to dominate Rwandan and expat women in the workplace. It's like the U.S. in the 1950s. - May 2012
The Genocide was 18 years ago and the Government of Rwanda makes a real effort to promote"Rwandans" versus the Hutus or Tutsis. If you are white, you will be stared at, made fun of in Kinyarwanda and people are generally standoffish and can be very rude. They do not care for muzungus and they let you know it. - Apr 2012
The local women are not treated very well by the Rwandan men. - Jul 2011
There are still underlying racial divisions with the Hutus and Tutsis from the 1994 genocide, but for the most part, you could spend your whole tour here and not even notice. It is a mainly Christian country with a surprising number of muslims on the fringe of the city and in some of the rural areas. You'll see a mosque or two. Women are slowly getting more rights here, but prostitution does still exist in some parts of town. - Oct 2010
Rwanda is actively working to overcome its racial prejudices from the nineties. - Jan 2010
Yes among Hutus and Tutsis though you never hear anybody opening talk about it. Though it is nothing like it used to be, now it is mainly espressed through jelousy and accusing people of crimes. Then there is the whole racial thing being an expat or bettwer known as Muzungu. It was not threatening in any way, but it really wore on me. I probably heard people call me Muzungu on avarage of 100 times a day, somewhat tiring. - Sep 2008
It's been 14 years since the genocide of 1994. Several generations still harbour inner feelings of the loss of family, friends and loveones. Privately many will speak of hatred, but will avoid public acknowledgment for fear of being incarcerated. - Aug 2008
