Skip to main content

BREAK THE SILENCE:SPEAK UP IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE. EPISOD 2

By Pechuqui Laurata

Reading and scrolling down news feed on my facebook account, there was a write up on parenting that caught my attention for a while. It was about parenting with lots of attributes to the girl child. The two powerful points were on monitoring your child carefully and be his or her best friend and don't allow anyone call your daughter "my wife". Honestly i agree with the person who did the write up 100%. True because Most of them are the perpetrators of violence. You may think they are just joking but you can't easily detect what their intentions are. If your daughter complains about a certain person, stop referring to that person as kind and would never do such things. Just with that type of behavior or attitude of yours, when something happens she won't utter a word. Let's make our children our best friends. Most perpetrators of Gender Based Violence especially rape are usually closed to the victim and family.


There is this young girl I know who was raped at the age of 10 by her Dad's friend. Some of you may be wondering how come but it happens. Let's be careful and conscious with the type of people we welcome in our homes. There are many young girls out there who have been raped but they never said anything about it. As parents or an individual, it is important to know the signs of rape so you can help such victims get justice and healing. They include; bruises, bleeding, {vagina and anal}, difficulty in walking, soreness, broken or dislocated bones, isolation, and lack of trust.

According to the United Nations, less than 40% of victim report their perpetrators leaving them to get away with it in many countries including Cameroon. Either the victims hide what happened from their families or their families decide to keep it a secret to protect the family's image. The effects of rape on the victim(s) are; trauma, suicide, death, anxiety, depression and many others. Most young girls/women are suffering in their relationships and marriages today because they are still traumatized. Some are not even married.


I encourage every victim today to speak Up. I encourage every Parent(s) whose child has been abused to seek Justice. Speaking up doesn't only help you get justice for what they did to you, but it is a part of healing. You are not a victim for sharing your story. You are the victor setting the world on fire with your truth and you never know who needs your light, your warmth and your raging courage. There is no disgrace in being a survivor of sexual violence- The shame is on the aggressor. You only set yourself free when you speak up.


To any survivor out there, you are a victor. To people wondering how we could fight this, join the fight. Wendy Shalit once Said "the best protection against rape, stalking and domestic violence, is to raise men who both understand that women are different and would never dare to take advantage of that difference."

This fight is not a girl's nor a woman's affair, but a collective one. We need both the male and female to fight against Rape and all forms of Gender Based Violence. We can do it. Let's Say No To Rape.

#StopTheStigmatization.
#SpeakUpIfYourAreAVictim.
#YouAreAVictor
#EndViolenceAgainstWomen.
#NoToAllFormGBV

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Wum Gears Up for a Flawless 4th General Population Census: Over 50 Enumerators Empowered for Success.

The air in Wum subdivision is buzzing with a renewed sense of purpose as over 50 dedicated individuals are currently undergoing intensive training for the upcoming 4th General Population Census. These aspiring enumerators are being equipped with the essential skills and knowledge to ensure this crucial national exercise is conducted not just accurately, but also with remarkable efficiency and without a hitch. The comprehensive training workshop, a vital precursor to the census, is meticulously designed to instill confidence and expertise in each participant. From understanding census methodologies to mastering data collection tools and ethical considerations, these individuals are being thoroughly schooled to deliver a flawless enumeration process. Leading the charge in this endeavor is  the esteemed Controller, Mr. Ebua Christantus. His presence and unwavering support underscores the significance of the census for the future of Wum subdivision. During the training sessions, he passion...

Breaking the Cycle: Confronting Gender-Based Violence and Drug Abuse in Bamenda

In a bid to tackle the pressing issues of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and drug abuse, the "Adjust for Me" project, implemented by Common Action for Gender Development (COMAGEND), has been making strides in the Ntarikon 2 community, Bamenda. The project, which aims to raise awareness and educate the community on the causes, consequences, and prevention of GBV and drug abuse, has been well-received by community members. According to Nde Christopher, a community spokesperson trained within the context of the project, the initiative has been instrumental in sensitizing the community on the ills of GBV and drug abuse. "We have organized door-to-door sensitization efforts, reaching many community members and educating them on the importance of addressing GBV and drug abuse," Christopher explained. The project has also provided a platform for community members to share their experiences and concerns regarding GBV and drug abuse. Swirri Adeline, a community member who parti...

Peace journalists in Bamenda aquaint themselves with skills on humanitarian reporting and security/safety of journalists

By Amamboh Carrey-Pride "The security of every journalist should come first for you cannot be a reporter in the grave" . This statement was  made by Fonyuy Kiven Frankline, the information officer at the United Nations for the coordination of humanitarian affairs, on December 27 2019 at Ntamulung church center hall as he trained peace journalists in Bamenda on humanitarian reporting and Security/safety of journalists. Organized by the Cameroon community media Network CCMN Northwest chapter, mr Funyuy Kiven trained the journalists present,  on the importance of always taking into consideration, your safety and security, before embarking on any mission. He mentioned for example that " in a crisis zone as the North west region, a journalist should not be part of a military convoy" .  He equally called on female journalists to prevent sexual violence on the field by putting on thicker clothes and equally knowing the customs of the society wh...