Their Words, Actions, and Meaning

Abstract

In this reflective account of a researcher's experience in Rwanda, the author examines how being at the place where violence occurred revealed how Rwandan women construct and name their reality in postgenocide era. The author discusses the questions people asked her in Rwanda and those she asked herself upon her return to the United States, which provide insights on how to share her experiences with others. The purpose in writing this article is to create a dialogue that brings together women's narratives and the author's opinions and positions to offer new ways to understand and give meaning to Rwandan women's experiences of genocide. The article concludes by reiterating the significance of acknowledging different ways of knowing those being studied and the ways how those who conduct the study understand themselves as researchers in that context. Names of the actual women who shared their stories have been changed to assure confidentiality.