14/08/2020
THE UNTOLD STORY
BY OKELLO BEN
You were in your classroom, waiting for your class teacher but before break time your Headteacher came running that you should all leave immediately. Why? Because the rebels were approaching the school to abduct the pupils.
Ladies and gentlemen, who don't know the history of Northern Uganda’s insurgency?
It has been a long journey and the effects of the war are still being experienced though the real fighting has ceased in northern Uganda. So many landmarks indicating tombstone. Many potholes left in the heart of the victims. Massacre was the word to use.
That, ladies and gentlemen, was an extract of a story told to me by an elderly woman who was able to witness the internal conflict in Northern Uganda.
You might have recalled that Northern Uganda for the past 25 years till 2011 struggled with conflict that lost more than 100,000 precious lives and left more thousands homeless, and with different kind of disabilities and disorders.
A decade ago too, my family experienced the fear of violence and threats. The bombs were many; the sound of guns every day and night; there was much uncertainty about my family members’ lives. Parents had a fear that their children would not reach home from schools and children had a fear that their parents would not reach home from facing family livelihoods.
The fear and devastation that women faced were even much bigger for 25 years. I am fortunate enough that my parents survived which was not the case for thousands of children. Many children lost their parents, became homeless and with no clear direction for their lives. Many women lost their spouses and mothers lost their children to the conflict. People were preys to the conflict. So, most women don’t get many chances to speak. But, should they sit back and suffer or we can do something about it?
Do you know that?
-1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced violence from an intimate partner;
-Every 2 seconds a girl under the age of 18 gets married;
-Every minute 6 girls are at risk of undergoing female ge***al mutilation.
(Source: Young Africa Leader Initiative, YALI Network)
I believe it is my responsibility to address the women in conflict in their conflict situation. So, in this speech, I am going to talk to you about those women, about their untold stories, about their unattained peace of mind.
It is 2020 now, the conflict has ceased. No military confrontation, no refugee camps but there are many women who are still struggling to have a dignified life despite social devotion. A dignified life in a male-dominated community and culture. These women are unrepresented. Their stories are untold and unheard.
There are so many women, widows and daughters who are still struggling in the name of confrontation. For them, the battle is not yet over. For them, peace is not a state of mind. For them, the white flag still means war. Their fear, insecurity and social stigma have made them vulnerable to human trafficking, kidnaps, sexual abuse, domestic violence, forceful marriages and increased risk of HIV/AIDS.
In our culture (Acholi), a woman is first and foremost a housewife and the husband is the breadwinner. But, the sudden death of their spouses has forced them to come out of their social vines. This has made them even more vulnerable to violence, sexual abuse both at work and at home.
This is not about Northern Uganda or Acholi sub-regions only. This is happening everywhere in Uganda. This is happening in other countries such as South Sudan, D.R. Congo, Somalia, Nigeria, and many other places of the World. Name it!
These women are in need of food, shelters, security and permanent livelihoods. They need a dignified life. I cannot trace them enough. They deserve one. Social stigma, sexual abuse, violent, kidnaps, oppression needs to be removed.
As a society, you and I have untimely responsibility towards the evolution of prototype that will be a key towards a better life for these women. Most importantly rehabilitating and supporting them by providing for them materialistic needs. The art of rehabilitation lies in catering for emotionalism and listening to their untold stories to ease their burdens.
Thank you, for taking the time to read this speech. Please, if you like it, let us know.
You are such a wonderful audience!
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