A message from a survivor on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Many of the women and girls in our Lamp Lifeboat Ladder program have experienced violence, either in the country from which they fled, or on their migration journey. We provide them with safe shelter, health care, access to psychological and other social support and community, as well as securing for them legal pathways to protection.  

We stand in solidarity with all women and girls who have endured and who continue to endure violence, and pledge to continue the fight to prevent and eradicate all violence against our sisters around the world.

What better way to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which begins the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, than with a powerful message from Thege, a survivor in our program.

ON THIS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ELIMINATON OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN I WANT TO SAY THIS:

Women, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, granddaughters, of the entire universe, we must rise up to stop abuse, take courage to move forward and do things that will make us happy. We, the survivors of acts of barbarism, must denounce the violence and give courage to those who have never spoken of their experiences. We must raise our voices so that the world knows what we have endured in our life, and to ensure we help and protect women against violence. Together, hand in hand, we will get there. 

We are a mighty force because since the beginning of this earth, it is the woman who gives life.

Women, let us rise up, speak and share our ideas on how to move forward without shame, fear, or the doubtful eyes of others.  Let us forget our past, which can stop us progressing.  Let us give life to our future and to the future generations. We are not useless: we can use our strength to do great things. We can train, study, have a career.  To realize our dreams.

TOGETHER WE CAN END VIOLENCE. PEACE FOR ALL WOMEN IN THE WORLD. IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE!