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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 Burundi.  “We’ve already dealt with twelve rape cases and several cases of domestic violence. People are no longer indifferent to violence against women in our commune. They speak out against it and we help victims initiate legal proceedings.

“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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