Taking on Taboos

Posted on 24 November, 2019 at 8:03 pm by womenbeing

Musenge Musomali talks to Monica Martins about how she turned her own deeply personal trauma into a charity that gives hope and support to women and girls across Zambia.

“The topic of sexual and gender-based violence always carries with it mixed emotions. The general population of Zambia is appalled by the increasing number of cases of sexual and gender-based violence and they’re starting to respond to the call to action. Many people have understood the seriousness of this issue and have joined the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.

The Zambian government has been supportive and has always been available to give guidance, enact policies and put measures in place to curb sexual and gender-based violence in Zambia. They’ve introduced ‘one-stop centres’ where victims of sexual violence and gender-based violence receive all the support services they need. This has been done with support from various stakeholders.

Other government interventions include introducing fast track courts to ensure that cases of sexual and gender-based violence are prosecuted quickly to stop further damage to victims. It makes our work easier and creates a greater impact when we have the full support of the government.

As a new organisation, it’s difficult to get funding to run our activities but through the help of various stakeholders, we are able to do some of the activities. To raise funds for the organisation, part of the proceeds from my book ‘Glow after Pain’ will go towards the women’s empowerment programme for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. It’s not much, but it will certainly help a number of women and children.”