Reading Room Story with Justice Mbabazi, Expert in women's rights and conflict

In 1994, the genocide that raged for 100 days placed Rwanda in a tragic light for the rest of the world. Two decades later, the country is setting an example as a model for reconciliation and is admired for its high rate of women’s participation in politics and public life.

Justine Mbabazi has made a significant contribution to this positive development. Justine Mbabazi is a renowned peace activist and international lawyer who specializes in human rights, gender, conflict management and transitional justice. In Rwanda, she helped shape various reforms and played a decisive part in transforming Rwanda to a country with over 60 percent of women in parliament. In addition, she has worked in almost every area of conflict in the world: Burundi, Rwanda, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and South Sudan to name just a few.

Justine grew up in various refugee camps in Uganda, where her parents had fled during the first Rwandan civil war in 1959. Later, she returned to Rwanda and played a critical role in its reconstruction after the genocide that claimed more than 1.5 million lives.

Justine is the author of “This is your Time, Rwanda: The emerging story of a bold nation and its brilliant destiny” (2012). She has a Masters Degree in International Law (LL.M) from Washington College of Law and is trained in Executive Education as a global change agent from Harvard.

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