Women may also have critical information about that could benefit the withdrawal of weaponry and ammunition from society. Unsuccessful DDR exercises frustrate efforts to remove ammunition from the public and risk resurrecting disgruntled excombatants into taking up arms again, igniting renewed instability.233 The case study below illustrates how countries can implement successful DDR programmes while integrating gender responsive approaches to promote sustainable peace. Female ex combatants in peace building Rwanda has undertaken intensive work in rehabilitating and reintegrating ex combatants to serve as peacebuilders. Rwanda government recognised that female combatants during conflict situations were considered secondary group members and victimized through physical and sexual abuse while living in the bush.234 The Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) embarked on training male ex- combatants on gender as part of their reintegration process at Mutobo Demobilization Centre, as well as in communities where they are based, in order for them to adopt new gender equality approaches that shun violence and subjugation of women. In 2001, about 200 female ex-combatants from all over Rwanda formed an association known as Ndabaga to promote peace and reconciliation. It eventually transformed into an NGO with a membership of over 700 women across the country.235 Ndabaga was able to use this forum to highlight the challenges faced by female ex combatants in DDR 236 and Government undertook to work with the association. The Ministry of Gender worked to support the association with financial support as did the 233 Progress report of the Secretary-General ‘Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa’ UN General Assembly August 2005 A/60/182 234 Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission ‘Demob Rwanda No 05 March 2016 235 Ibid 236 UN General Assembly ‘Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the SecretaryGeneral on the causes of conflict and promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa’ A/60/182 December 2005 81

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