Salim recounts how she
was raped and then watched, helpless, as her young son was molested. Too
afraid to seek assistance, she did what she thought would help. She
washed her son's wounds with hot water and salt for four excruciating
days, until they were brought here, the Sister Somalia center.
"There are so many
stories; when you hear one, another one is even worse and that makes you
think of it all the time," says Fartuun Adan, co-founder of Sister
Somalia, the first rape crisis center in the East African country. "I
even dream about what I heard during the day."
A champion for women's
rights in Somalia, Adan is used to hearing such horror stories. Two
years ago, she started Sister Somalia, a group dedicated to supporting
survivors of sexual violence with medical services, counseling,
education and entrepreneurial advice.
A shelter for Somalia's rape victims
Somalia's woman of courage
Drought victims suffer sexual violence
"Our purpose when they
are there (is for them) to feel safe," says Adan. "If you want to cry,
if you want to laugh -- support them, (make them) feel at home and
that's why we created the center."
'Rape was everywhere'
But in order to provide rape victims with a refuge, Adan had to risk her own safety.
Her mission began in
2007, at the height of a Somali conflict that had been raging for more
than 15 years. Until then, Adan was living with her three daughters in
Ottawa, having fled to Canada in 1999 three years after the brutal
murder of her husband, Somali human rights activist Elman Ali Ahmed.
But six years ago, Adan
took the courageous decision to leave her children behind and return to
her motherland to help the Somali women and youth suffering because of
the war.
Adan initially focused
her efforts on reviving the work of her late husband, a prominent peace
activist committed to rescuing young boys from becoming child soldiers.
But in 2011, many parts of Somalia suffered from famine, forcing
thousands of people to make the grueling trek to Mogadishu where
humanitarian organizations were giving out food.
Makeshift camps sprouted
all over the capital, providing shelter for the internally displaced.
But for many women and children living there, cut off from the
protection of their clans, the camps were places of rape and violence.
To deal with the growing
crisis, Adan started Sister Somalia, the first organization in the
country to come out publicly and talk about the astonishing number of
sexual abuse victims.
"Rape was everywhere, Somalia was in denial," she says. "There was a lot of denial and that made it harder."
'Safe place'
Community elders wanted
Adan to hide the rapes and Islamist militants and militia men constantly
threatened her. But the activist defied the dangers to provide rape
victims with a place of healing.
At the Sister Somalia
center, women and children receive a holistic approach to care and
treatment. Initially, the victims are given short-term anti-retroviral
treatment to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection. They also receive
drugs to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
We can talk, we can eat, take tea together, having little fun so they forget most of the times and they share the story.
Fartuun Adan, co-founder of Sister Somalia
Fartuun Adan, co-founder of Sister Somalia
The women and children
are sheltered in safe houses, becoming part of a communal setting that
provides victims with emotional support as they go through counseling
and treatment.
"This is a very safe
place," says Adan, who now runs the group with one of her daughters. "We
can talk, we can eat, take tea together, having a little fun so they
forget most of the times and they share their story."
World recognition
For her work championing
human rights and women's rights in Somalia, often in dangerous
conditions, Adan was bestowed in March with the U.S. Secretary of
State's International Women of Courage Award, an annual prize that pays
tribute to emerging women leaders across the world.
"I was happy because of
the recognition we got, not only me but all the other women who are
doing the job we are doing in Somalia," says Adan, who started Sister
Somalia alongside Lisa Shannon, founder of "Run for Congo" and Katy
Grant, co-founder of Prism Partnership.
"It's an encouragement
for us," adds Adan, who now runs the group with one of her daughters and
a few dedicated helpers. An eight-person volunteer support staff based
in North America also gives administrative assistance. "I was always
thinking how can I help women but I never thought it would be recognized
internationally," she adds.
Hope
Rape in Somalia carries
huge social stigma, so although an increasing number of women seek help
at Adan's crisis center, many more suffer in silence.
"A lot of people know
what is going on but they are denying," says Adan. "Even the family,
they deny if their girl gets raped because they don't want her to be
stigmatized and shamed and that makes it hard."
But for the first time
in a long time, there is a new sense of optimism in Somalia. After more
than two decades of war, there is a newly elected president and
parliament.
Adan says political leaders now acknowledge rape is a huge issue in the country, and this gives her hope for the future.
"I would like to see
peace, justice, development like another country," says Adan. "Just to
walk around without worrying and women can go to market and see whatever
they want; have education, health, the basic human rights -- that is
what I want to see."
Twenty
nine fun seekers were feared dead and many injured, Monday night, in
the multiple blasts that occurred at Christmas quarters in the Sabon
Gari area in Kano.
The Sabon Gari area of Kano, where four blasts were reported, is full out of outdoor bars and eateries and known for its bustling nightlife.
According to reports the first blast occurred at about 9:12 p.m. at Enugu/Igbo Road near International Hotel, while the second blast followed three minutes later, at exactly 9:15 P.M.
The Spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Captain Ikedichi Iweha did confirmed Kano multiple blasts, and warned residents to remain calm as heavily armed security operatives have cordoned off the area as at the time of filling this report.
“We have had some explosions in Sabon Gari this evening. The explosions happened at open air beer parlours, where people were playing snooker,” Kano State Police Commissioner Musa Daura told AFP.
“I can confirm six dead and six others injured,” he said, adding that the cause of the blasts was not immediately clear.
“There is confusion all over the place,” said Chinyere Madu, a fruit vendor. “There were four huge explosions, so huge that they shook the whole area. Everywhere is enveloped in smoke and dust.”
She told AFP the scene was too chaotic to assess the extent of the damage, but said she “saw one person carrying someone on his shoulders with bleeding legs.”
“My house is not far from there,” resident Kola Oyebanji told AFP. “All my windows are shattered.”
Other residents said that a small church sandwiched between two bars had been among the targets.
The blame was likely to fall on Boko Haram, the Islamist insurgent group which says it is fighting to create an Islamic state in Nigeria’s mainly north.
The group, which has carried out waves of bombings across northern Nigeria, has been blamed for coordinated suicide blasts at a bus park in Sabon Gari in March that killed at least 41 people.
Kano has been among the cities hardest hit during the Boko Haram’s insurgency, even if in recent months it had seen a lull in attacks.
Following a massive coordinated gun and bomb assault in January of 2012 that killed at least 185 people, security forces blanketed the city, setting up checkpoints at many roundabouts and intersections.
Nigeria launched a massive offensive against Boko Haram in May, specifically targeting three states to the east of Kano. Since then, the security forces have claimed huge gains against the insurgents, insisting that they have put them on the defensive.
Attacks eased after the offensive was launched but the bloodshed has persisted in some areas.
At least three schools have been attacked in northeastern Nigeria by suspected Boko Haram members.
Over the weekend, a vigilante raid and reprisal attack by Boko Haram members left at least 20 people dead in the village of Dawashe in Borno state.
The insurgency is estimated to have killed more than 3,600 people since 2009, including killings by the security forces.
Aside from churches and other targets linked to the Christian community, Boko Haram has attacked the security forces, Muslim clerics and various symbols of authority.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and top oil producer, roughly divided between a mostly Christian south and predominately Muslim north.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/29-feared-dead-in-kano-multiple-blast/#sthash.jlkEz9TL.jOiJ3xIW.dpuf
The Sabon Gari area of Kano, where four blasts were reported, is full out of outdoor bars and eateries and known for its bustling nightlife.
According to reports the first blast occurred at about 9:12 p.m. at Enugu/Igbo Road near International Hotel, while the second blast followed three minutes later, at exactly 9:15 P.M.
The Spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Captain Ikedichi Iweha did confirmed Kano multiple blasts, and warned residents to remain calm as heavily armed security operatives have cordoned off the area as at the time of filling this report.
“We have had some explosions in Sabon Gari this evening. The explosions happened at open air beer parlours, where people were playing snooker,” Kano State Police Commissioner Musa Daura told AFP.
“I can confirm six dead and six others injured,” he said, adding that the cause of the blasts was not immediately clear.
“There is confusion all over the place,” said Chinyere Madu, a fruit vendor. “There were four huge explosions, so huge that they shook the whole area. Everywhere is enveloped in smoke and dust.”
She told AFP the scene was too chaotic to assess the extent of the damage, but said she “saw one person carrying someone on his shoulders with bleeding legs.”
“My house is not far from there,” resident Kola Oyebanji told AFP. “All my windows are shattered.”
Other residents said that a small church sandwiched between two bars had been among the targets.
The blame was likely to fall on Boko Haram, the Islamist insurgent group which says it is fighting to create an Islamic state in Nigeria’s mainly north.
The group, which has carried out waves of bombings across northern Nigeria, has been blamed for coordinated suicide blasts at a bus park in Sabon Gari in March that killed at least 41 people.
Kano has been among the cities hardest hit during the Boko Haram’s insurgency, even if in recent months it had seen a lull in attacks.
Following a massive coordinated gun and bomb assault in January of 2012 that killed at least 185 people, security forces blanketed the city, setting up checkpoints at many roundabouts and intersections.
Nigeria launched a massive offensive against Boko Haram in May, specifically targeting three states to the east of Kano. Since then, the security forces have claimed huge gains against the insurgents, insisting that they have put them on the defensive.
Attacks eased after the offensive was launched but the bloodshed has persisted in some areas.
At least three schools have been attacked in northeastern Nigeria by suspected Boko Haram members.
Over the weekend, a vigilante raid and reprisal attack by Boko Haram members left at least 20 people dead in the village of Dawashe in Borno state.
The insurgency is estimated to have killed more than 3,600 people since 2009, including killings by the security forces.
Aside from churches and other targets linked to the Christian community, Boko Haram has attacked the security forces, Muslim clerics and various symbols of authority.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and top oil producer, roughly divided between a mostly Christian south and predominately Muslim north.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/29-feared-dead-in-kano-multiple-blast/#sthash.jlkEz9TL.jOiJ3xIW.dpuf
Twenty
nine fun seekers were feared dead and many injured, Monday night, in
the multiple blasts that occurred at Christmas quarters in the Sabon
Gari area in Kano.
The Sabon Gari area of Kano, where four blasts were reported, is full out of outdoor bars and eateries and known for its bustling nightlife.
According to reports the first blast occurred at about 9:12 p.m. at Enugu/Igbo Road near International Hotel, while the second blast followed three minutes later, at exactly 9:15 P.M.
The Spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Captain Ikedichi Iweha did confirmed Kano multiple blasts, and warned residents to remain calm as heavily armed security operatives have cordoned off the area as at the time of filling this report.
“We have had some explosions in Sabon Gari this evening. The explosions happened at open air beer parlours, where people were playing snooker,” Kano State Police Commissioner Musa Daura told AFP.
“I can confirm six dead and six others injured,” he said, adding that the cause of the blasts was not immediately clear.
“There is confusion all over the place,” said Chinyere Madu, a fruit vendor. “There were four huge explosions, so huge that they shook the whole area. Everywhere is enveloped in smoke and dust.”
She told AFP the scene was too chaotic to assess the extent of the damage, but said she “saw one person carrying someone on his shoulders with bleeding legs.”
“My house is not far from there,” resident Kola Oyebanji told AFP. “All my windows are shattered.”
Other residents said that a small church sandwiched between two bars had been among the targets.
The blame was likely to fall on Boko Haram, the Islamist insurgent group which says it is fighting to create an Islamic state in Nigeria’s mainly north.
The group, which has carried out waves of bombings across northern Nigeria, has been blamed for coordinated suicide blasts at a bus park in Sabon Gari in March that killed at least 41 people.
Kano has been among the cities hardest hit during the Boko Haram’s insurgency, even if in recent months it had seen a lull in attacks.
Following a massive coordinated gun and bomb assault in January of 2012 that killed at least 185 people, security forces blanketed the city, setting up checkpoints at many roundabouts and intersections.
Nigeria launched a massive offensive against Boko Haram in May, specifically targeting three states to the east of Kano. Since then, the security forces have claimed huge gains against the insurgents, insisting that they have put them on the defensive.
Attacks eased after the offensive was launched but the bloodshed has persisted in some areas.
At least three schools have been attacked in northeastern Nigeria by suspected Boko Haram members.
Over the weekend, a vigilante raid and reprisal attack by Boko Haram members left at least 20 people dead in the village of Dawashe in Borno state.
The insurgency is estimated to have killed more than 3,600 people since 2009, including killings by the security forces.
Aside from churches and other targets linked to the Christian community, Boko Haram has attacked the security forces, Muslim clerics and various symbols of authority.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and top oil producer, roughly divided between a mostly Christian south and predominately Muslim north.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/29-feared-dead-in-kano-multiple-blast/#sthash.jlkEz9TL.jOiJ3xIW.dpuf
The Sabon Gari area of Kano, where four blasts were reported, is full out of outdoor bars and eateries and known for its bustling nightlife.
According to reports the first blast occurred at about 9:12 p.m. at Enugu/Igbo Road near International Hotel, while the second blast followed three minutes later, at exactly 9:15 P.M.
The Spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Captain Ikedichi Iweha did confirmed Kano multiple blasts, and warned residents to remain calm as heavily armed security operatives have cordoned off the area as at the time of filling this report.
“We have had some explosions in Sabon Gari this evening. The explosions happened at open air beer parlours, where people were playing snooker,” Kano State Police Commissioner Musa Daura told AFP.
“I can confirm six dead and six others injured,” he said, adding that the cause of the blasts was not immediately clear.
“There is confusion all over the place,” said Chinyere Madu, a fruit vendor. “There were four huge explosions, so huge that they shook the whole area. Everywhere is enveloped in smoke and dust.”
She told AFP the scene was too chaotic to assess the extent of the damage, but said she “saw one person carrying someone on his shoulders with bleeding legs.”
“My house is not far from there,” resident Kola Oyebanji told AFP. “All my windows are shattered.”
Other residents said that a small church sandwiched between two bars had been among the targets.
The blame was likely to fall on Boko Haram, the Islamist insurgent group which says it is fighting to create an Islamic state in Nigeria’s mainly north.
The group, which has carried out waves of bombings across northern Nigeria, has been blamed for coordinated suicide blasts at a bus park in Sabon Gari in March that killed at least 41 people.
Kano has been among the cities hardest hit during the Boko Haram’s insurgency, even if in recent months it had seen a lull in attacks.
Following a massive coordinated gun and bomb assault in January of 2012 that killed at least 185 people, security forces blanketed the city, setting up checkpoints at many roundabouts and intersections.
Nigeria launched a massive offensive against Boko Haram in May, specifically targeting three states to the east of Kano. Since then, the security forces have claimed huge gains against the insurgents, insisting that they have put them on the defensive.
Attacks eased after the offensive was launched but the bloodshed has persisted in some areas.
At least three schools have been attacked in northeastern Nigeria by suspected Boko Haram members.
Over the weekend, a vigilante raid and reprisal attack by Boko Haram members left at least 20 people dead in the village of Dawashe in Borno state.
The insurgency is estimated to have killed more than 3,600 people since 2009, including killings by the security forces.
Aside from churches and other targets linked to the Christian community, Boko Haram has attacked the security forces, Muslim clerics and various symbols of authority.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and top oil producer, roughly divided between a mostly Christian south and predominately Muslim north.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/29-feared-dead-in-kano-multiple-blast/#sthash.jlkEz9TL.jOiJ3xIW.dpuf
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