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2- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 25, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Human rights advocate shares personal tale of childhood violence By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER In conflict torn Zimbabwe, the constant violence between the government and its opposition often overshadows a far deeper struggle -- the struggle for women to gain rights, to be free from patriarchal rule, and even more importantly to live their lives without having to endure the traumatic experience of being raped. Betty Makoni, a Zimbabwean woman, and now a children's rights advocate, couldn't escape this trauma. At age six, she was lured into a neighbor's home in Zimbabwe with nine other girls where they were sexually abused. That's just the beginning of Makoni's story. Recently, Makoni shared the entire story during an oomama speaking engagement at Maple Groive United Church. "I will talk about myself because I believe if the personal is made public, people begin Betty Makoni to appreciate what has been said," she told the audience. Makoni was born in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. She came from a family that is based on patriarchal oppression. "When I was born I was a child who actually listened to violence, most probably in the womb. I also heard crying. I think when I was in the womb I was not comfortable because something, just in my intuition, told me that I was not born in a normal family environment," explained Makoni. Her mother was constantly % 9 Per annum. Interest Paid Monthly 360 Day Term Investment Issued by: INVENTORY CLEARANCE SATURDAY! Great Values Storewide plus NO GST on all floor stock* (*Sale Prices Include the GST) Please Note: Store will be closed Monday, June 30th for Inventory ast Call! 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My friends were also bleeding because cruelty had penetrated our genital organs," she said, her voice full of strength. That same year, Makoni wanted to free her mother from the violence that would eventually take her life. "I said to my mother, `I saw you beaten last night. There's a police officer. Tell him that last night you were beaten. We want rescue.'" Her mother refused and she faced the consequences three years later. Makoni's mother and father were arguing one night because her father had not come home the day before. The argument quickly escalated and Makoni said her father started to get violent. "My father beat her so hard that she bled from the mouth, she bled from the nose...she crawled for help, she screamed. I tried to hold her. I was only nine years I couldn't do much. Though I had a strong will, that I would rescue all the women, that night I couldn't." Makoni's mother was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead. Within a year, Makoni's father had married a woman who felt no sympathy to the struggles that Makoni faced. The family situation at home nurtured in her a desire to leave, get educated, and help other girls. She fought her stepmother, her father and poverty to go to school. At school, she proved herself a "star child." Her success in the academics continued through university where she earned a bach- elor of English degree from the University of Zimbabwe. She became a teacher for a class of girls who kept dropping out. "When I went, my class started out with 50 girls, by end of term there were like 10. The rest dropped out one by one and I knew they were no different than from my story." She decided to turn her dream of bringing the girl child's voice into action. She told the girls that they mustn't drop out of school. Rather they should work to "disband patriarchy and walk to their full potential." Ten girls heard her call, and they, along with Makoni, formed the Girl Child Club at school. The club's aim is to strengthen the female child, to support and promote her access to education by providing her with things such as sanitary ware, panties and exercise books. The male community was not happy. They labeled the club "family prostitutes." Nonetheless, Makoni stayed persistent, and just like she forcefully went to school, she forcefully kept the club. Many women throughout Zimbabwe became familiar with the Girl Child Club and it began "to spread like wildfire." In 1999, Makoni resigned from teaching and dedicated her self to helping the "girl child transform into a leader." Currently, Makoni's Girl Child Network has 689 clubs and has helped more than 60,000 girls. The youngest was a one-day-old baby. The oldest was a 94-year-old grandmother. The club is currently supported by the Stephen Lewis Foundation. "Betty's work is amazing. Girls now have uniforms, sanitary napkins, and a lot of other basic needs to attend school," said Leah Teklemariam, a programme advisor for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which supports more than 100 grassroots organizations, including oomama. Established in 2005, oomama was formed by a group of grandmothers united by their desire to help grandmothers in Africa raise their grandchildren. "You always bounce back to care. You once cared for your children's children, now you're back to care for grannies that you don't even know -- this is the power of women," said Makoni.