About Africa Realities Media
The other story of sexual violence in Somalia
Defending my wife
The other story of sexual violence in Somalia
Hala Alkarib
2013-05-30, Issue 632
Muhildeen Shikh Mohamed is one of the few Somali men who stood up to defend his wife, Lul Ali Isman when she was gang raped by government security men. His story is among many of the hidden acts of sexual violence in Somalia in which more men need to stand up against this abuse against women
After more than ten years working in the Horn of Africa region with women, from Darfur in Sudan to the coast of Somalia, the braveness of Muhildeen Shikh Mohamed an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Somali man living in Mogadishu took me by surprise.
On 5 February 2013, 27 year old IDP woman Lul Ali Isman, was ganged raped by the government security forces and Lul was brave enough to come out and share her story publically. The journalist Abdiaziz Ibrahim conducted an interview with her and before publishing the interview; both Lul and Abdiaziz were convicted by a Somali court and sentenced to a year in jail. Mrs Isman was accused of insulting a government body and making false claims while the journalist was similarly charged with insulting a government body. The two were arrested in mid January 2013. The rape survivor was subjected to two days of interrogation without a lawyer present. Following an international outcry, on 3 March 2013, the charges against Mrs Isman were dropped, and the sentence against the journalist reduced to six months. By the 17 March 2013 the charges against Abdiaziz were dropped and he was released.
PRAISE FOR MUHILDEEN IN MYSOGYNISTIC SOMALIA
However, despite all the international coverage the case received, there was no mention of Muhildeen Shikh Mohamed, Lul's husband. After doggedly maintaining that his wife had been raped he too was arrested and intimidated during the 26 days he was held. In his own account, this is something Muhildeen would do again. For me, as an activist seeking social change for years, the stand of Muhildeen cannot go unnoticed. When I sat to talk to him in Mogadishu last March I felt nothing but great appreciation for the man whose life was never easy, yet he did not loose his sense of justice despite the power of misogyny in Somalia. Muhildeen by all means was not confused about his wife situation, fully aware of what she suffers; 'Just defending my wife' this what he kept saying. Muhildeen told me that during his detention he was humiliated for reporting his wife rape. He was also reminded that his wife was from a lower clan and not worth for him to defend.
MORE MEN NEED TO STAND UP AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Muhildeen is just one of the many men choosing to stand by their wives, daughters mothers or sisters in Somalia. In another instance, a man refused to receive money and insisted on filing a case against the perpetrator who had raped his 13 years old daughter despite all the threats he was receiving. Another man was detained for a week for reporting the rape of his 6 years old daughter and refusing to drop the charges.[1] The issue of sexual violence is a shared burden between men and women. The systematic rape of women and girls faced with undermining trends and impunity leaves great societal repercussions. It distresses communities and takes away society's capacity to exist peacefully.
For the past 20 years, Somalis have suffered the ramifications of the long-lasting armed conflicts with the spreading of the militant political Islam militia presenting itself as an identity and saver of Somali people. The dehumanization of women combined with the polarization of war resulted in establishing systemic patterns of gang rape against women and young girls particularly inside IDPs camps where women and families are exposed. Just in the span of three days from 16-18 March 2013 twenty-two rape cases were reported from one camp in just one of the districts in Mogadishu.
STANDING UP FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE FOR ALL
Sexual violence in the Horn of Africa region is shaded with misconceptions and confused with culture, traditions and religion. It is perceived to imply that people of the Horn are born into adopting violence against women as their heritage. Culture, clan and religion are part of the Somali people's identity but these should not be the only lenses to view them. The paradox however is that, the only operating ideology that presents itself is militant political Islam. Yet what should be noted is that justice, peace and human rights as perceived internationally is a great desire for large segments of Somali men and women living inside the country.
ENDNOTES
1. Reports from one of the local women organization in Somalia.
2. Interview with one of the local women's organisations in Somalia.
*Hala Alkarib, is Director of the Strategic Initiative for women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA)
Support Our Work Now !
Africa Realities Media is independent. Your support helps us expose injustice, challenge silence and produce evidence-based analysis on Africa and the Great Lakes Region.
Africa Realities Media offre un espace aux écrivains, chercheurs, experts, activistes, voix communautaires, militants, analystes et personnes ayant une expérience vécue qui souhaitent contribuer à des contenus réfléchis, responsables et courageux sur les changements nécessaires dans la région des Grands Lacs, ainsi que sur les réalités politiques, économiques, culturelles et sociales africaines souvent ignorées, minimisées ou mal représentées.
Nos articles et vidéos visent à ouvrir le débat, renforcer la sensibilisation, encourager la pensée critique et favoriser une réflexion plus profonde sur les réalités vécues par les populations africaines. Nous voulons aider les peuples de la région des Grands Lacs à mieux comprendre leurs droits, notamment leurs droits humains, leur droit au développement, leur droit à la dignité, à la sécurité, au bien-être et à une vie meilleure.
À travers nos contenus, nous cherchons également à rappeler aux décideurs, aux institutions publiques, aux acteurs régionaux et internationaux, ainsi qu’aux responsables politiques, leur devoir de transparence, de responsabilité et de redevabilité envers les populations qu’ils prétendent servir. Notre objectif est de contribuer à une culture de vérité, de justice, de participation citoyenne et de protection égale pour tous les peuples africains.
Why We Exist
Many abuses facing African people are committed by African states, ruling elites, armed groups, military forces and security services. But these abuses are often sustained by international silence, Western lobbying, trade interests, migration deals, mineral access, diplomatic partnerships and unequal global accountability.
Africa Realities Media exposes that system.
Lived Experience Matters
Survivors, displaced communities, refugees, families affected by repression, journalists, activists, women, young people and diaspora voices are not passive subjects. They are knowledge holders.
Their experiences must shape policy, advocacy, journalism and public debate. The people closest to injustice are often closest to the solutions.
Our Principle
Africa Realities Media is rooted in one principle: African lives deserve equal truth, equal justice and equal protection.
Popular Posts
http://www.inyenyerinews.org/amakuru-2/the-paul-kagame-doctrine-after-20-years/ African leaders have just concluded a mini summit in Luanda, Angola, to discuss the conflict in DRC and the diplomatic showdown between South Africa and Rwanda. It is reported, as usual, that a "Luanda Declaration" was signed, and President Zuma and President Kagame "agreed" to talk to "resolve" the impasse between their two countries. The latest quarrel between South Africa and Rwanda is due to the assassination of Colonel Patrick Karegeya in South Africa on 31/12/2013 and another attempted assassination on General Kayumba Nyamwasa a couple of weeks ago. Is this new ground for hope, or it is the usual diplomatic hype, postponing the problem to a later date? This writer firmly believes it is the latter. A good foreign policy champions, defends and protects a country's ( read people's) national interests. It seeks friends and...
A votre aimable attention s'il vous plait, Cher(e) lauréat(e), veuillez prendre connaissance de la pièce jointe et automatiquement entrer en contact avec Maître Bakary TOGORA dont les informations sont les suivantes : Vous avez gagné 250.000€ suite à un tirage au sort. CABINET JURIDIQUE MAITRE BAKARY TOGORA. Adresse Mail: cabinet_consultant.togorab@hotmail.fr Contact Téléphonique: (+22) 546 077 726. Adresse Permanente : 20 Avenue du Général De Gaulle, Plateau Rue du Commerce, Immeuble le petit Bassam, Abidjan. Numéro de la fondation : +1 347 434 5496 LA DIRECTION DES OPERATIONS. __._,_.___ Répondre en mode Web Répondre à expéditeur ...
http://glpost.com/rwanda-leader-paul-kagame-gets-jewish-embrace-human-rights/ Great Lakes Post Website: http://www.glpost.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatlakespost Twitter: Great Lakes Post@greatlakespost __._,_.___ Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) ---------------------------------------------------------- The Voice of the Poor, the Weak and Powerless. More News: http://changingaf...
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: MUSABYIMANA JEAN DE DIEU <musajados@yahoo.fr> To: Democracy Human grpe <Democracy_Human_Rights@yahoogroupes.fr>; cliir Antoine <cliir2004@yahoo.fr>; CORWABEL ASBL <corwabel@gmail.com>; leprophete umuhanuzi <lepropheteu@yahoo.com>; ijwiryarubanda ijwiryarubanda <ijwiryarubanda@ijwiryarubanda.com> Sent: Monday, 31 March 2014, 11:34 Subject: *DHR* pétition à l' Union Européenne contre l'arrivée du criminel kagame Soutenez les étudiants en signant contre l'arrivée du plus grand criminel de l'histoire de l'humanité à Bruxelles. signer ici svp!: https://secure.avaaz.org/fr/petition/LUnion_Europeenne_Conseil_de_securite_de_lONU_Contre_la_visite_du_Hitler_Paul_Kagame_le_criminel_a_la_tete_du_Rwanda/edit L'Union Européenne. Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU: Contre la visite du Hitler...
Komera Agnes. Kiriya kiganiro cyahise kuri Radio Flash FM naracyumvise ariko nasanze nta gishya kiri mo, ari propagande isanzwe ya FPR igamije gushyushya imitwe y'abantu ngo bareke gutekereza ku bikorwa bindi bishobora kuzahura uRwanda muri rusange. Njye yaba Jannette yaba Habumuremyi ndetse n'undi wese uzava muri RPF simpamya ko azatsinda amatora yo muri 2017. Nemeranya n'iyi Raporo ya AFRICOM k' uRda yo muri 2011 aho ivuga ko RPF yamaze urwayo, ko rero yagombye kujya ku ruhande, ikareka n'abandi bakayobora. Pour votre info: Excerpts from: Rwanda : assessing risks to stability By Jennifer G. Cooke Center for Strategic & International Studies Washington, DC June 2011 ( http://csis.org/files/publication/110623_Cooke_Rwanda_Web.pdf ) ======================================= "The elections in 2017 could be a moment for a significant pol...
Depuis les 5 dernières années, les experts sur le Rwanda n'écrivent plus des livres sur le génocide rwandais. La plupart ont disparu parce qu'ils ont honte de leurs écrits sur le Rwanda considérant que certains éléments de la vérité sur le Rwanda sont maintenant connus ou que le Rwanda avec son dictateur Kagame sont vus d'une manière différente. Mme Vidal est en train de les rejoindre. From: Rwembe Charlie <rwembe6030@yahoo.fr> To: "Democracy_Human_Rights@yahoogroupes.fr" <Democracy_Human_Rights@yahoogroupes.fr> Sent: Friday, 28 March 2014, 15:18 Subject: Re: *DHR* Claudine Vidal s'est réveillée en disant: "Et moi aussi, et moi aussi" Mme Vidal, Pourquoi ne reagissez-vous pas aux nombreuses reactions qu'a suscite votre interview? J'attends tjrs de lire votre reaction aux reactions des netters...
Mme Vidal La première caractéristique d'un blanc menteur c'est de faire comme si la tragédie rwandaise avait commencé le 6 Avril 1994, et de chercher les preuves là où elles ne sont pas, c'est-à-dire au détour de petites phrases prononcées par des personnes qui ne maîtrisent pas la langue, qui étaient enflammées ou qui sont malmenées par leurs interrogateurs. Quand vous parlez de planification du génocide, vous oubliez ceux à qui il a profité et qui avant tout le monde ont commis des exactions contre la population civile. La rancœur accumulée par les hutus contre les tutsis a été notamment été favorisée par le nettoyage ethnique opéré par le FPR dans les régions de Byumba et Ruhengeri, ce qui a eu pour résultat, un million de réfugiés entassés aux portes de Kigali. Parler du génocide et omettre de parler de cette situation est un mensonge par omission. Disons comme vous l'affirmez que l'attentat n'a...
Avec leurs écoutes électroniques, ils ont eu vent que quelque chose se préparait dans le secteur. Je ne pense pas que leur souci soit Joseph Kony, pas plus que se battre pour Kagame ou Museveni. Ils ont tiré des leçons du fiasco des évacuations de leurs ressortissants du Sud-Soudan. Ils veulent éviter que ce genre de fiasco se répète. Une zone de combat des troupes d'élite sudafricaines et tanzaniennes n'est pas un camp de vancaces. La bataille de Bangui est en le plus récent témoin! __._,_.___ Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic ...
Nyirubwite "Maître" Evode Uwizeyimana yarabyivugiye ko kontaro ye izamara amezi atandatu. Ubwo iyo comisiyo nayo izamara amezi atandatu. Ngira ngo kandi mwiboneye igisubizo cya Barreau ya Québec yemeza ko "Maître" Evode Uwizeyimana atigeze aba avocat muri Kanada! Ahasigaye ababishoye mwatwohereza cya gisigo cya "Maître Corbeau Et Le Renard". -- SIBOMANA Jean Bosco Google+: https://plus.google.com/110493390983174363421/posts YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9B4024D0AE764F3D http://www.youtube.com/user/sibomanaxyz999 ***Online Time:15H30-20H30, heure de Montréal.***Fuseau horaire domestique: heure normale de la côte Est des Etats-Unis et Canada (GMT-05:00)*** __._,_.___ Reply via web post ...
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Theobald Gakwaya <tgakwaya@yahoo.com> To: "Democracy_Human_Rights@yahoogroupes.fr" <Democracy_Human_Rights@yahoogroupes.fr> Sent: Friday, 28 March 2014, 19:31 Subject: Re: *DHR* RADIO IMPALA. Abatekereje gushyiraho Radio yo kumara abaturage ubwoba ngo baharanire uburenganzira bwabo bagize neza cyane Ariko se niba barabwiye uwo mugiraneza ko Radio Impala ari iyo gufasha opposition politique Rwandaise kugira acces kuri Medias Noneho yaba yarabaye umwihariko w'amashyaka amwe gusa bigenze bite? Mbese ariko byagenze nta buriganya bwo bwaba burimo? Mbese uwo mugiraneza yaba yari agamije gufasha gusa plateforme RNC-FDU-Amahoro Congres? Nimukomeze kutuvunguriraho natwe tumenye ukuri, Rwaka On Friday, March 28, 2014 2:06 PM, "majaribu1987@yahoo.fr" <majaribu1987@yahoo.fr> wrote: ...
Why Africa Realities Media Is Different
Africa Realities Media speaks to Africa and to the developed world. Many abuses facing African people are committed by African states and ruling elites, but they are often protected by international silence, lobbying, public relations, trade interests, migration deals and unequal global accountability. While governments pay lobbyists to present a good image abroad, ordinary African people continue to face violence, hunger, disease, poverty, repression and exclusion. We challenge the normalisation of African suffering and demand equal truth, equal justice and equal protection.
Pourquoi Africa Realities Media est différent?
Africa Realities Media s’adresse à l’Afrique et au monde développé. De nombreux abus subis par les peuples africains sont commis par des États africains et des élites dirigeantes, mais ils sont souvent protégés par le silence international, le lobbying, les relations publiques, les intérêts commerciaux, les accords migratoires et une responsabilité mondiale inégale. Tandis que des gouvernements paient des lobbyistes pour présenter une bonne image à l’étranger, des Africains ordinaires continuent de faire face à la violence, à la faim, aux maladies, à la pauvreté, à la répression et à l’exclusion. Nous contestons la normalisation de la souffrance africaine et exigeons une vérité égale, une justice égale et une protection égale.
Policy and Systems Change
Our work is designed to trigger debate, discomfort and action. We do not only expose injustice; we work for policy and systems change.
We want governments and institutions to address the root causes of inequality, disadvantage, discrimination, exclusion and barriers affecting African people. We believe lasting change must be shaped by people with lived experience.
Exposing Injustice in Africa
Africa Realities Media is an independent African accountability platform based in London. We report, analyse and challenge the systems that shape African suffering, silence African victims and protect abusive power.
We are not here to repeat diplomatic language. We are here to ask the questions that are often avoided: why are African deaths treated as normal? Why are African victims given less urgency? Why are governments that imprison, exclude, displace or kill their own people protected when they serve powerful international interests?
Africa Realities Media gives space to writers, researchers, experts, activists, community voices, campaigners, analysts and people with lived experience who want to contribute thoughtful, responsible and courageous content about the changes needed in the region, as well as the political, economic, cultural and social African realities that are often ignored, minimised or misrepresented.
Our articles and videos aim to encourage debate, raise awareness, stimulate critical thinking and support reflection. We seek to help people in the Great Lakes Region understand their rights to human rights, development and wellbeing, while also encouraging decision-makers to be more transparent, responsive and accountable.
Comments
Post a Comment