Strength

freewrite..

"To remain delicate and beautiful in a harsh cold world takes strength..."

25th Nov- Elimination of Violence Against Women

SubhanAllah, a year on since we first sat round the table to organise the first all female delegation out to Bosnia to examine the female narrative of war. To capture the stories of survivors but particularly the women who survived rape and torture.

Despite working with survivors of rape and sexual violence here in the UK the stories from Bosnia are the most harrowing I've ever heard.

Today is the UN day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Statistics tell us 1 in 3 women have experienced sexual or physical violence mostly from an intimate partner. In the UK alone 2 women a week are murdered by a current or former partner. 43% of women in 28 European Union Member States have experienced some form of psychological violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime... and the list continues. The violence and abuse of women is a pandemic, and we must do everything in our power to stop this injustice through our words and our actions.

Let us continue to stand for justice, for equality, and for peace. 

Resilience

freewrite...

"The journey has been long and arduous. One cluttered with conflict, where your soul was torn apart. One hindered with hardship, scaling mountains which reached the sky. One painted with pain, after crossing flames fanned by jealousy and hate. One enveloped with shame, after trust became broken. 

It was never going to be easy. It was never going to be without blood and tears, never without acquiring scars. You bent, but did not break. You shattered to a million pieces, but refused to become dust in the wind."

Prayer for Women

For all the women. Those who struggle, who experience abuse, who suffer illness, who remain in difficulty or suffer hardship. For those longing for children and those awaiting them. Those who raise them on their own or have been separated from them. Those who experience violence, or have been violated. Those at risk of harm or those who feel desperate or depressed... my heartfelt prayers always.

May you be protected.

May you be relieved.

May you be reunited. 

May you always know your worth and rise.

Survive

"Oh mother catch me as I fall. Let me melt into your warmth, while bitter winds blow outside."

How to keep busy while in Hospital.

In two weeks I've learnt a lifetime of stories. Women who despite war and struggles continued to stand tall and stand firm.

I've heard stories of hardships when bombs began to fall. About the worries of parents who chose to send their children away to homes outside the cities, in the hope they would be more likely to survive. Of young sisters afraid of separation, despite the risks, headed out on a mission to seek out their only brother to bring him back to the home they were staying at. I've heard stories of strict matrons, who were cruel and under their rule, childhoods were spent working the lands. I've heard of young women becoming part of the land army spending their days sowing, digging, and driving tractors, and sneaking out in the evening to dance halls for some respite from the raging war outside.

I've met one of the oldest triplets in the UK, and had the honour of being given an insight into her extraordinary life. Despite the odds how she survived weighing only 2lbs and has lived a full and fruitful life. I've learnt the histories of Manchester I never knew, from the location of air raid shelters, to shopping parades where I would never guess they once stood.

Everyone we meet has a story to tell. If we only choose to listen, we may benefit from the richness of what they have to share.

#HowToKeepBusyWhileInHospital