Narrative review and call to action on transgenerational trauma as a public health emergency in Rwanda

In Rwanda, the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi not only devastated direct survivors but also left deep emotional and psychosocial imprints on their descendants. Despite scientific advances recognizing epigenetic and psychosocial transmission, transgenerational trauma in Rwanda remains insufficiently addressed within national public health policy. This review explores whether transgenerational trauma should be recognized as a major public health emergency in Rwanda. This review was conducted using a structured literature search focusing on trauma transmission, post-genocide mental health, and public health implications in Rwanda. Relevant literature was identified through searches in Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, African Journals Online (AJOL), and official institutional repositories including the Ministry of National Unit and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), Interpeace. Searches were carried out between February and August 2025. Transgenerational trauma in Rwanda stems from the country’s violent history and spreads through psychological, social, and biological pathways. It affects youth through emotional numbness, identity confusion, anxiety, and social withdrawal. Despite reconciliation efforts, trauma remains largely unaddressed in public health systems, with limited school- and community-based services and cultural silence contributing to its invisibility. Overall, it poses a significant threat to Rwanda’s psychosocial well-being and development. Transgenerational trauma in Rwanda, with its lasting and widespread impact, should be treated as a public health emergency. Addressing it requires trauma-informed policies and family-centered interventions to support future generations.