Kvinneappell
På kvinnedagen, torsdag 8. mars, var det ei antirasistisk markering foran regjeringsbygget, i protest mot regjeringas kvinnefiendtlige asyl- og immigrasjonpolitikk. Mercy Abraham fra den etiopiske kvinneforeninga holdt denne appellen:
Dear peace-loving Norwegian women
Eighth of March is meant to be a day women throughout the world celebrate, enjoying the fruits of their struggle in defeating discrimination, oppression and exploitation.
I would be very happy today, if I could come to you with the good news about the rights and the prosperity of Ethiopian women.
But.
To my sadness and dismay, I stand before you on behalf of thousands and millions of Ethiopian women who suffer in the hands of the government militia troops and the police force.
Being a woman should be a source of pride and joy; because we have numerous valuable roles and tasks in our society. But if you hear and learn closely the sufferance and hardship the Ethiopian women go through, I assure you that, you would come to the conclusion that being a woman in Ethiopia has become a curse for many who fight for democracy, human rights, and justice.
When I stand before you, I stand on behalf of the voiceless Ethiopian women who suffer silently, not even sharing their pain to their families, relatives and friends. Ethiopian women have made a great effort in demanding democracy and participate in all kinds of opposition political activities, from organising demonstrations up to civil disobedience. The response they got for their democratic movement is being shot dead in the streets, tortured in different cells and prisons, and the last and the worst is sexual abuse and sexual harassment they experience in different situations.
What makes the sexual abuse and harassment worse is the fact is that our culture is not open to discuss sexual matters. In addition there is a very high risk of being infected by HIV/AIDS when women are raped by military forces.
Since HIV-infected people are stigmatised and socially isolated, raped women prefer not to tell anyone and they suffer silently.
Many Ethiopian women asylum seekers and refuges in Norway have the same experience, but due to the harsh immigration policy they suffer alone, not even getting a professional help. I happen to be one.
On this day, I ask you Norwegian sisters and mothers to help the victimized Ethiopian women who suffer in exile and in different horrible refugee camps in Kenya and Sudan.
Thank you.
