麻豆约拍

Good morning!

鈥淚 am a victim of genocide.听 I am a victim of rape.听 I want you to hear my voice.鈥�

These words brought the proceedings of a meeting of faith and political leaders I attended to a halt.听 It was as if everyone in the room 鈥� including cardinals, archbishops, rabbis and imams 鈥� suddenly realised why they were there: to listen to the voice of survivors like Solange Mukamana who survived the Rwandan genocide

Solange鈥檚 story is like that of so many other women survivors. Originally from North Rwanda on the border with Uganda. She survived the killings by fleeing with only the clothes she was wearing.听 She survived rape and had remained silent for two decades until she started working with other survivors.
听
Solange emphasized the importance of educating girls because, she told me, an educated girl can change society.

Educating girls not only breaks the cycle of poverty but also helps them aspire to become doctors or nurses, teachers or lawyers and to help future generations. This will lead to the seismic shift in behaviour we need, especially in parts of the world such as Nigeria, where communities are traumatised by war, epitomized by the kidnapping of young girls by the extremist group, Boko Haram.

The final word should be given to the voices of the survivors because, as Solange acknowledged, by offering powerful testimony, she contributed to her own healing as well as the healing of society. If what she and her fellow survivors have to say is valued by society, not only would they be further healed but their voices will be heard.

Lord, may we hear the voice of survivors and empower victims so that our society may be changed and healed

Amen