HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
This year theme for International women’s day is ” I AM GENERATION EQUALITY: REALIZING WOMEN RIGHTS” .
In few words this year is all about advancing gender equality worldwide and there is more work that needs to be done in order to achieve this.
Women and girls continue to be undervalued,they have fewer choices and experience multiple forms of violence at home and public.
That is why today we have the honor to have BYUKUSENGE MUGISHA ANGE the founder of SHIRIMPUMU TURI KUMWE GROUP.
She is going to share with us about her project which is about fighting Gender Based Violence by breaking the silence about it.
We are going to learn more about GBV, about the SHIRIMPUMU TURI KUMWE GROUP how it started and how it works and how we can contribute to fight against Gender Based Violence.
What is Gender Based Violence ( GBV) ?
First of all Gender based Violence is violence that is directed at an individual based on his or her biological sex OR gender identity.
It includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse, threats, coercion, and economic or educational deprivation, whether occurring in public or private life. ” source — womenforwomen.org
Gender based violence can affect anybody ( women, girl, boys and men ) but women and girls are the most at risk and the most affected by gender based violence.
It can take place anywhere home, school, street , market, work space,etc….
Most of people that face gender based violence are afraid to speak up because they don’t want to be judged, discriminated and that is how many cases go unsolved.
That is why MUGISHA ANGE a Rwandan Feminist came up with SHIRIMPUMU TURI KUMWE GROUP.
TELL US MORE ABOUT SHIRIMPUMU TURI KUMWE GROUP.
Shirimpumu turi kumwe group is a group of people that fight against Gender based violence.
It is a group made of psychologists, mentors, survivors that share their testimonies to help those in need.
Our main goal is to break the silence and encourage people to SPEAK UP so that they can receive all the necessary help.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START THIS GROUP ?
What pushed me to start this movement is that i meet with a lot of women and girls that went through different type of gender violence especial sexual violence.
Most of them were afraid to speak up when it happened and later on they faced consequences that affected their mental and physical health.
Some even wanted to commit suicide but with the help of psychologists they didn’t.
So i told myself that we need to do something about it.
That is how i came up with the idea and founded SHIRIMPUMU TURI KUMWE GROUP.
We need to break the silence about gender based violence and the time is NOW.
HOW DOES YOUR GROUP WORK ?
We use seminars to reach people and teach them about human rights, gender based violence , sexual harassment.
There is also raising awareness about Gender based violence and encourage people to SPEAK UP if they see or experience any type of gender based violence.
We use survivors testimonies during our seminars in order to help people who experienced gender based violence to speak up and that it is okay to seek for help.
So far we had 1 seminar and it was successful and i believe that with hard and team work we can make a great impact.
We are ready to work with private sectors, government and religious institutions and any person that is willing to join this cause you are all welcome.
What Message Do you give to People reading this blog ?
My message for women and girls reading this is : “to first be careful and speak up about any type of GBV that they experience or notice.
I know it is hard but i want them to know that we are here to help our fellow brothers and sisters.
To the parents reading this take care of your kids , be present in their lives , listen to them.
Mostly teach them about sexual reproductive health and how to behave with the opposite sex, thank you.”
If you loved this blog post and would love to contribute to SHIRIMPUMU TURI KUMWE GROUP feel free to join them on Instagram instagram.com/shiraimpumu
On this special month dedicated to women i think we all need to stand up for each other , work hands in hands to fight against GBV.
Was this blog post helpful ? Let me know in the comment section xoxo !!
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