View source for Veneranda Nzambazamariya

{{Short description|Rwandan peace activist}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Veneranda Nzambazamariya
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1957|08|27}}
| birth_place        = [[Rwanda]]
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|2000|01|30|1957|08|27}}
| death_place        = [[Cote d'Ivoire]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/200103080401.html|title=Rwanda: Late Rwandan Woman Wins UN Agency Peace Prize|last=Hule|first=Jermoe|date=2001-03-08|publisher=All Africa|access-date=2023-11-17}}</ref>
| awards             = [[Millennium Peace Prize for Women]]
}}
'''Veneranda Nzambazamariya''' (August 8, 1957 – January 30, 2000) was a Rwandan peace advocate, women’s rights leader, and humanitarian. She played a significant role in [[Rwandan genocide|post-genocide Rwanda]] by uniting women across ethnic and social divides to support reconciliation and community rebuilding. As the president of Pro-Femmes/Twese Hamwe, Nzambazamariya emphasized local activism and gender inclusion in peacebuilding efforts.
<big>'''Personal Life'''</big>
Veneranda Nzambazamariya was born in Rwanda on August 8, 1957 and died on January 30, 2000. While details about her early life are limited, she pursued education and became involved in civil society organizations, which influenced her work in promoting gender equality and peacebuilding.<ref name=":3" />
Nzambazamariya was known for connecting people from different backgrounds, which became significant during Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery. Her work reflected a commitment to fostering dialogue and inclusivity. She also mentored younger generations, emphasizing the importance of education and civic engagement in building a more equitable society.<ref name=":3" /> Nzambazamariya was a women's leader in [[Rwanda]]. She was posthumously awarded the [[Millennium Peace Prize for Women]].<ref name="unifem-bio-2001">{{cite web |date=2001 |title=2001 Peace Prize Recipients - Biography - Veneranda Nzambazamariya |url=http://www.undp.org/unifem/mpprize/rwandabio.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011031071457/http://www.undp.org/unifem/mpprize/rwandabio.html |archive-date=2001-10-31 |accessdate=5 November 2016 |publisher=[[United Nations]] |language=English}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |year=2010 |title=Century of Women |url=http://vov.com/files/exhibitions/The-Century-of-Women.pdf |access-date=2023-11-17 |publisher=Victory Over Violence |page=16}}</ref>
<big>'''Humanitarian Work'''</big>
As previously stated, Nzambazamariya was known for facilitating connections with people from various backgrounds, and her humanitarian work throughout her lifetime further exemplified this narrative. Nzambazamariya was immensely passionate about extending kindness and support to others in need, and her multiple works helped support several widows, orphans, and displaced persons in post-[[Rwandan genocide|genocide Rwanda]]. As president of Pro-Femmes, she oversaw microcredit programs, agricultural cooperatives, and literacy training to promote economic empowerment and social reintegration for women.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Burnet |first=Jennie E. |date=2008-07-01 |title=Gender Balance and the Meanings of Women in Governance in Post-Genocide Rwanda |url=https://academic.oup.com/afraf/article/107/428/361/12456 |journal=African Affairs |volume=107 |issue=428 |pages=361–386 |doi=10.1093/afraf/adn024 |issn=0001-9909}}</ref>
Nzambazamirya was a founding member of [https://reseaudesfemmes.org.rw Reseau de Femmes] and [[Pro-Femmes Twese Hamwe]], two women's organizations in her home in [[Rwanda]].<ref name=":3" /> Nzambazamariya was also a committed Women's Committee for Peace and Development member. Additionally, Nzambazamirya dedicated her life to empowering women politically and economically and aspired to reconstruct Rwanda's laws and infrastructures that economically, politically, and socially disproportionately affected women.<ref>http://vov.com/files/exhibitions/Building-A-Culture-Of-Peace.pdf</ref>
<big>'''Awards'''</big>
The [[Millennium Peace Prize for Women]].<ref name="unifem-bio-2001" /><ref name=":0" />, established in 2001, was an initiative to honor women who made significant contributions to peace-building and conflict resolution worldwide. This prize was organized by the [[United Nations Development Fund for Women]] (UNIFEM, now UN Women). It highlighted the often-overlooked role of women in promoting peace, addressing violence, and rebuilding communities in post-conflict settings.
Nzambazamariya became the first recipient of the Millennium Peace Prize for Women. The award celebrated her visionary leadership in fostering reconciliation, particularly through Pro-Femmes/Twese Hamwe’s "Campaign Action for Peace." This initiative mobilized women to take active roles in conflict resolution and the Gacaca courts, reshaping traditional gender roles in Rwanda.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Press Briefing by UN Development Fund For Women on Millennium Peace Prize {{!}} Meetings Coverage and Press Releases |url=https://press.un.org/en/2001/unifembriefing.doc.htm |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=press.un.org}}</ref><ref>"[https://africanactivist.msu.edu/record/210-849-31176/ African Activist Archive]". ''africanactivist.msu.edu''. Retrieved 2024-11-18.</ref>
Her work exemplified the transformative power of grassroots efforts in post-conflict settings, inspiring future global frameworks for gender-inclusive peace-building.<ref name=":3" />
<big>'''Death and Legacy'''</big>
[[File:Kenya Airways A310-300 5Y-BEN LHR 1994-8-5.png|thumb|'''Kenya Airways Flight 431:''' Veneranda Nzambazamariya shortly passed away on this flight due to its crash.]]
Veneranda Nzambazamariya passed away on January 30, 2000, in the [[Kenya Airways Flight 431]] crash near Côte d'Ivoire.<ref name=":1">Mwambari, David (2019-12-23). "[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331299552_Leadership_Emergence_in_Post-Genocide_Rwanda_The_role_of_Women_in_Peacebuilding Leadership Emergence in Post-Genocide Rwanda: The role of Women in Peacebuilding]". ''Leadership and Developing Societies''. '''2''' (1): 88–104 – via ResearchGate.</ref> Her death marked a profound loss for Rwanda and the global peacebuilding community. As the president of [[Pro-Femmes Twese Hamwe|Pro-Femmes/Twese Hamwe]]—a coalition of Rwandan women's organizations—Nzambazamariya was instrumental in uniting women across social and ethnic divides during Rwanda’s post-genocide reconstruction.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" />
Since Nzambazamariya’s passing, her legacy has continued through the Nzambazamariya Veneranda Organization, which was founded in her honor in 2000. The organization focuses on promoting a culture of peace, justice, and sustainable development based on the philosophy of ''[[Ubuntu philosophy|Ubuntu]]''. Lead by [[Marie Mediatrice Izabiliza|Izabiriza M. Médiatrice]], the association has implemented numerous projects to empower rural women, combat family conflict, and address poverty, while also recognizing individuals who contribute to community well-being. <ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=CBSNews com staff CBSNews com |date=2001-03-09 |title=U.N. Awards Women Peacemakers - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/un-awards-women-peacemakers/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">Ukwezi. (2022). ''Byinshi wamenya kuri Nzambazamariya Veneranda umaze imyaka 22 yishwe n’impanuka y’indege.'' Retrieved from http://ukwezi.com/Mu-rwanda/Ubuzima/article/Byinshi-wamenya-kuri-Nzambazamariya-Veneranda-umaze-imyaka-22-yishwe-n-impanuka-y-indege</ref>
Nzambazamariya’s commitment to peace and justice is remembered annually on January 30th by her family and the organization founded in her name. Her grave at Remera Cemetery serves as a gathering place for commemorative ceremonies where family and organizational members honor her memory by laying flowers and reflecting on her contributions to Rwandan society.<ref name=":2" />
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nzambazamariya, Veneranda}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:Anti-war activists]]
[[Category:Rwandan feminists]]
[[Category:20th-century Rwandan women]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in Africa]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 2000]]
[[Category:20th-century Rwandan people]]
{{Rwanda-bio-stub}}