What would you do if you had supernatural powers? Others would like to fly, others would become invisible, others would ask for superhuman muscular strength. It is true that the more passable our daily life is, the more supernatural the forces we dream of. But what happens when problems are supernatural? Then, you become a wonder woman!
All over the world, women are at the forefront of the fight for a better tomorrow. In most cases, they also have to overcome gender stereotypes, which want them without autonomy, without voice, without rights. These women have all the characteristics of a superhero: they initially fight alone with all the facts against them, they put the future of the community above self-interest and of course they need supernatural powers to overcome obstacles. So let's get to know some of ActionAid's “wonder women”. They are women who come forward, each in their own way, in our actions for a fairer world and in the developments of the pandemic they have contributed significantly to the support of those in need.
Elisabeth, 54, Kenya. Supernatural power: Her poor home accommodates all women seeking refuge from domestic violence. A member of the Women's Support Center in Mombasa for 20 years, in addition to her work at the center, she does not hesitate to provide housing for women and children from abusive environments. Thanks to the pressure of her team, the long trial period of a case of domestic violence was reduced from 5-6 years of waiting to 6 months! The conditions of the pandemic brought back their work, as the incidents of violence increased and the number of complaints decreased, while all the trials have been left behind. But Elisabeth does not give up. She is hosting even more women in her home, who are afraid to go to the hospital because of COVID-19 and are ready to stand up for all the rights that are being violated.
Elizabeth ACTIONAID
Marjorie, 40, Haiti. Supernatural power: Her voice can and does reach the homes of all women who do not know they have rights. Every Sunday 3-4pm, Marjorie radiates strength and courage. Through her show, she informs women about their rights and encourages them to come forward and talk, to fight for the changes they want to see in their country. In her show, she gives the stage to women who have been abused to speak openly without being ashamed, so that the others can take courage. During the pandemic, he also informs about the precautionary measures against the coronavirus, but also about what they are entitled to from the state. As a member of the network for women in leadership positions, she knows first hand how difficult it is for women to advance within the patriarchal society in her country. He believes, however, that together they can bring about change.
Marjorie ACTIONAID
Barsha, 23, Nepal. Supernatural power: Even when he is deprived of everything, he feels that he has something to offer to others. Married since she was 15 and already a mother of two, Barsha knew from an early age the difficulties of being a woman. She lives in a camp in Kathmandu and struggles to make ends meet and raise her children, working in a garment factory, with a salary just enough to buy vegetables. But the problems never deprived her of the will to offer. She has been an ActionAid volunteer for three years and was one of the first people to be recruited in the coronavirus response. Participated in information campaigns and the registration of vulnerable groups for the distribution of food and hygiene products. Although she and her husband have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and have difficulty securing their daily food, she refused to receive the aid package offered to her by ActionAid, because she thought it would look bad outside, as she is a volunteer. of the organization.
Barça ACTIONAID
Memunatu, 40, Sierra Leone. Supernatural power: in a diseased health system, it manages to heal with the soul and the smile. As a responsible nurse in a province of Sierra Leone, she faces daily challenges and difficulties due mainly to lack of equipment and infrastructure. During the pandemic he saw many health workers disappearing. But he can not give up. She knows that an entire community depends on her. He continues to work tirelessly, claiming as much as he can from those in charge and works with ActionAid to provide material and equipment support.
Memounatou ACTIONAID
In our childhood stories we learned that superheroes come from other worlds and fight with supernatural powers. But the real heroines of life are those who fight with the forces that we all have inside us and a spark of everyday life is enough for them to manifest!
