In 1994, Rwanda was a country ravaged by ethnic violence of an incomprehensible scale as
800,000 people were killed within 100 days. Whilst the abhorrent events of Rwanda‟s
genocide lack justification, the genocide marked a turning point for women‟s position in this
traditionally patriarchal society. In this post-conflict context, this study investigates adults‟
perceptions of the gendered division of child labor, providing insights into the processes of
change that have and continue to occur. This study was guided by Grounded Theory and
employs qualitative methods to gain a holistic understanding of these perceptions. Through
analysis of both primary and secondary sources, a conceptualization model depicting the
dominant emerging concepts, the Influential Factors of Shifting Gender Roles in Muko, is
developed. The model shapes the analysis of perceptions focusing initially on the shifting
demographics in the aftermath of the genocide and subsequent institutional reforms, which
are perceived to be highly influential in developing increasingly gender-equal attitudes
amongst adults. Based upon the principles of Social Learning Theory, these attitude changes
are transmitted to children through gender role socialization processes, and specifically
through the conduit of child labor. As gender role socialization processes in childhood form
the foundation for values and attitudes in adulthood, transmission of shifting gender norms
will potentially contribute to enhanced gender equality amongst this community.
Notwithstanding this, inconsistencies in actual behavior change were alluded to and demands
further longitudinal quantitative and qualitative research to comprehensively analyze actual
behavior and behavior change patterns.