WUNRN
International Women's Day 2010 - Action Aid
Violence Against Women Must Stop
Before Equality Is Achieved
Direct
Link to Full 126-Page Report:
http://www.actionaid.org/docs/her_stories_final.pdf
Eliminating
violence against women is inseparable from achieving equality for women, says
ActionAid on International Women’s Day.
One in three women will be raped, beaten, coerced into sex or abused in her
lifetime - and in conflicts, the situation is exacerbated.
In a new report called Her Stories, African women tell remarkable
accounts of how they have overcome violence and discrimination in appalling
circumstances.
The women, from Burundi, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo,
have all taken part in ActionAid’s project, aimed at reducing violence against
women and have been provided with legal, psychosocial support, livelihoods
training and lobbying advice.
The stories show how, despite horrific experiences, with help, survivors of
violence can find the strength and self-confidence to increase their own protection.
“We feel we’ve made a
big step forward,” said Lucie Ntamuzuro, a farmer in
“We’ve also understood
that the most important thing is to make the first step. The proverb ‘God helps
those who help themselves,’ is quite correct.”
Sarah Harrison, ActionAid’s project coordinator, said it had assisted women to
secure justice for rights violations, re-integrating survivors back into
communities, changing attitudes and opinions towards violence against women.
“Central to that
success has been the strength, resilience and resourcefulness of the women
themselves, as well as the commitment and dedication of those working with
women’s groups and movements.”
Roseline Watta Beah, ActionAid’s facilitator in Sierra Leone, summed up the
women’s feelings: “The
project has been a journey from a place called nowhere to a place called hope.
But hope here is built on shaky ground, needing consolidation if we don’t want
to be sent back to nowhere.”
It is hoped the booklet will inform and influence further projects and ensure
that the voices of the women ActionAid works with, will be heard loud and
clear.
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