As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I find myself reflecting on the resilience of women and the incredible power we hold to heal. As a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, I have walked the long and painful road of trauma, grief, and healing. I have also witnessed, time and time again, the strength of women; the way we rise, even when the weight of the world is on our shoulders. In a country that has endured the worst of humanity, it was women who stood at the forefront of healing. We carried not only our own pain but also the burdens of our families and communities. Despite all we had witnessed and suffered, we nurtured our children, comforted our husbands and brothers, and held our neighbors close. We became the backbone of a nation rebuilding itself from the ashes of tragedy. Women have the power to heal a nation. We are tender, we are listening, and we understand pain in ways that make us natural caregivers. This belief is what led my husband, Samuel Munderere, and I to create Solid Minds Counselling Clinic. We dreamt of a place where people could find mental health support free from stigma and judgment. At the time, we only knew that Rwanda needed a safe space for mental health, but we did not realize just how deep that need ran. Today, over 65% of our team at Solid Minds are women, and they are championing the mental health movement with passion, skill, and dedication. Our team is made up of women who are psychologists, clinicians, psychiatrists, and counselors—highly trained professionals committed to breaking barriers and offering confidential and compassionate care to those who need it. Their work reminds me that healing is not just a personal journey; it is a collective one. We need to take ownership of our well-being and the well-being of those around us. But, I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the weight that women carry. We bear so much, and so much is expected of us. We are caregivers, professionals, leaders, wives, mothers and daughters all at once. And yet, we often neglect ourselves in the process. My message today is simple: Let’s help each other. Let’s seek help when we need it. Let’s be strong -not by pretending we have it all together, but by allowing ourselves to heal and by supporting one another. On this International Women’s Day, I celebrate every woman who has found the courage to heal. I celebrate the women who stand beside others, offering a listening ear and a helping hand. I celebrate the women who dedicate their lives to mental health, ensuring that no one has to suffer in silence. I also recognize the men whose understanding and support empower us on this journey. Healing is not a privilege; it is a right. And when women heal, families heal. Communities heal. Nations heal. To every woman reading this: Your well-being matters. Your healing is powerful. Your resilience is shaping a better world. Do not give up! Happy International Women’s Day! Ariane Uwamahoro is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Solid Minds Counselling Clinic, a private, independent outpatient mental health clinic in Kigali, licensed by Rwanda’s Ministry of Health.
