Jonathan Torgovnik & MediaStorm – Intended Consequences Public Service Announcement

On April 7, 1994, the Rwandan genocide began, resulting in the deaths of between 800,000 and 1,000,000 men, women and children. During the 100 days of violence, Rwandan women were subjected to massive sexual violence, perpetrated by members of the infamous Hutu militia groups known as the Interahamwe. Among the survivors, those who are most isolated are the women who have borne children as a result of being raped. Their families have rejected both them and their children, compounding their already unimaginable emotional distress.

An estimated 20,000 children were conceived during the genocide in Rwanda, and many of their mothers contracted HIV during the same encounters that left them pregnant. They feel they have lost their dignity, are alone and utterly powerless.

Intended Consequences chronicles the lives of these women. Their narratives are embodied in portrait photographs, interviews and oral reflections.

The public service announcement was created to help raise awareness for Foundation Rwanda, which has been established to provide funding for the secondary school education for children born from rape of the 1994 genocide.

Watch the full story on MediaStorm.
Learn more about Foundation Rwanda.