Inshinzi

Socio-cultural norms and practices dictate the way in which society members, particularly girls and women should behave and carry themselves; decide what defines womanhood. A girl must talk like this. A girl must sit like this. A girl must be like this, a girl must be like that. Girls grow up internalizing these discourses that shape their perception of themselves and other women, and limit their self-expression and restrict them from living freely and fully. Non-conformity from these prescribed norms and engaging in behaviors deemed as not "respectable" (for women and girls) is considered as deviance, which is frowned upon, stigmatized and punished. Women and girls who refuse and defy the norms are othered, excluded from fully participating in society and often met with violence (to forcefully put them back into their place); which all serve as a cautionary tale for other women. They are labelled as difficult, unruly, ungovernable. In Kinyarwanda, they are labelled as inshinzi, igishegabo and other derogatory terms. Inshinzi is a celebration of all the women and girls who defied norms and lived unapologetically despite the threats of isolation and violence.