Today, marks the 14th day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign – a global movement to end gender-based violence. This day focuses on the humanitarian and civil society organizations working on the ground in Darfur and throughout Sudan. I took action today by calling my representative and encouraging him to make restoring peace in Sudan a priority. Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) has been a prominent voice for the people of Darfur on Capitol Hill, but it is my responsibility as a constituent to consistently push for him to do more to end sexual violence in Sudan.
Having spent my childhood in Nigeria, I remember my grandparent’s sharing their memories of the Nigerian Biafra War that claimed more than a million lives. The reason they told their story was not merely to fill the air with loose talk, but to teach us the role we ought to play in preventing future atrocities. There is no greater calling in life than to help your neighbor at their weakest or most vulnerable moment; and to fight great injustice no matter where it is. Now, with years of conflict and suffering in Darfur, I am once inspired by survivors’ stories – this time I am compelled to take action on behalf of those suffering in Sudan.
Today I reached out to just one of the leaders of this country with the power to help bring the Darfur genocide to an end. In my phone call and twitter message to Congressman Moran I asked him to lead efforts to restore unrestricted humanitarian access in Darfur and prioritize the return of services for survivors of gender based violence. I hope that you contact your representative and encourage them to be advocates for the people of Darfur and to end the violence against women.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
Tags: 16 Days, Activism, Darfur, Violence Against Women
