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In Central Africa, Signs of Hope and Fear

The New York Times

To the Editor:

The key to ending conflicts in Central Africa indeed lies in Rwanda's security (front page, Feb. 6). Toward that end, the Rwandan government has effectively enlisted an often neglected resource: women.

Rwandan women are among the top leaders involved in reconstruction. The commissioner of unity and reconciliation is a woman. The first lady prompts citizens to assist all war orphans. The Ministry of Gender and the Women's Forum of Parliamentarians pushed a law restoring property rights to war widows.

With international support for development (especially education), Rwandans will have an ever larger stake in peace. That's the only way Rwanda's security and the region's can be achieved.

Maha Muna

New York, Feb. 8, 2000

The writer is deputy director of the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children