Every year an estimated 14 million girls are married before they turn 18.Robbed of their childhood, denied their right to health, education and security. Child marriage is a global problem that cuts across countries, cultures, religions and ethnicities. It denies girls their rights to health, to live in security and…

We, that is Naomi Mwaura and myself, met for the first time in early November to begin discussing the Nairobi One Billion Rising (OBR) event and brainstorm ideas and possible venues. Our earliest idea was Uhuru (‘Freedom’) Park, famous since Independence, as both relaxation and rallying place for the public….

EGYPT: RISING FOR JUSTICE I have spent the last couple of days reading and watching riveting account upon riveting account of different women in Egypt, who have been assaulted, belittled, abused, raped, beaten, killed. I have been sitting here trying to fathom, trying to understand why an uncle would rape…

The township of Alexandra known Alex is one of the oldest townships in South Africa. Mantala Nkoatse shares her vision for One Billion Rising for Justice in her community in Alex. One Billion Rising is a campaign that encourages everyone to rise for justice and because justice is peace for…

For over 15 years, rape has been used in D.R Congo as the main war tool, humiliating hundred thousands of women, and destroying Congolese society. Congo has been named rape capital of the world. It is heartbreaking to belong to such a country, but it is possible to make a…

WHY AM I RISING FOR JUSTICE My name is Jane Mukuninwa. I was born in the village of Lulingu, in Shabunda, D.R.Congo. This village until now is one of the worst places for women to live.  I was physically and psychologically destroyed by multiple rapes. I was driven half-dead to Panzi…

The author of this blog, Jessica Neuwirth, served as Coordinator of the UN High-Level Panel on Remedies and Reparations for Victims of Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  This panel travelled across the Democratic Republic of Congo from 27 September to 13 October 2010, meeting with 61 survivors of…

MUJERES EN BÚSQUEDA DE JUSTICIA Algunas ideas a un mes del Tribunal de Conciencia Por Jessenia Casani, socióloga de DEMUS, Perú A través del informe final de la Comisión de la Verdad y Reconciliación entregado al Estado peruano, el año 2003, la violencia sexual durante el conflicto armado interno peruano…

Misogyny and patriarchy pollute our world.  They maintain capitalism and its excesses.  At the complex heart of this is the ubiquitous and mind-numbing sexual violence towards women and girls that is a global disaster. It is time to put this sexual violence in a globally articulated collective view so that…

Seven months into my role as the Southern Africa One Billion Rising coordinator, I am in awe at the energy and passion that has set the whole region on fire. From our visit to Johannesburg in October 2013, where I met many activists to brainstorm about the Justice issues they…