“We began our life together from scratch. I was full of life, passion and blind love,” says mother-of-three Mwaka*. “Then, later, you find out who the person truly is.”

At 22, Mwaka married a man she met through her mother. He had been hired to work as a science and English teacher at her mother’s private school. 

Young and love-struck, Mwaka could not see the ways her partner was manipulating and abusing her. “He pinched me, made me feel insecure and irrational,” she told UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. “In the end, I was the one to apologize for all the mistakes I didn’t make.” 

Across Zambia, more than one third of women reported in 2018 that they had experienced physical violence since the age of 15. Meanwhile, nearly half of all ever-married women aged 15 to 49 said they had survived emotional, physical or sexual violence by a husband or partner.

During Mwaka’s 11-year marriage, her husband became increasingly violent; he refused to let her leave the house alone and attacked her, leaving bruises all over her face and body. He threatened to kill her and her children, once even putting a knife to Mwaka’s neck.

“As I see now, he wanted to have full control over me,” Mwaka said. 

Fortunately, she was able to break free. With help from relatives, she and her children escaped her husband and were escorted by police to a nearby refuge: The Laweni shelter. 

A safe haven

In the Chewa language, Laweni can mean “rest” or “safe haven”. And that’s what many of the women and girls who come to stay at the shelter seek.

Run by the Young Women’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Zambia, the UNFPA-supported shelter mainly serves survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking, as well as those facing early or adolescent pregnancy. It provides women and girls with access to food, clothing, medical treatment, antenatal care, legal assistance and psychosocial counselling.

“When coming to the shelter, women carry a heavy burden,” Grace, a counsellor, told UNFPA. “But here, we create a safe space for them to open up and speak about their true feelings and struggles.” 

When Mwaka first arrived at the Laweni shelter, she felt relieved that her experience of abuse was over. But other emotions also swept in: Fear. A deep sense of loss. The shattering of her self-esteem and confidence.

She questioned her decision to leave her husband and worried about her children’s futures. But as she worked through the trauma she had experienced, she began to emotionally recover.

“My mind opened up to see new perspectives,” Mwaka said. “I started feeling hopeful, and I was able to process my feelings and pain and to regain strength and perseverance.” 

It’s a transformation Grace has witnessed before in other women. “They free themselves from the fear, shame, guilt, anger, resentment and self-loathing,” she said. “Most importantly, they know they are not alone.” 

Counsellors are available for the women and girls at the shelter day and night. Legal services are also accessible; Mwaka had a lawyer assigned to her case and a protection order granted against her husband. 

“I feel very happy to be here and be part of these women’s journey,” Grace said. “I have seen how women suffer; I just want to help them speak up and to know what they can do despite the past.” 

“I see them as sisters and daughters,” she continued. “I believe in them.”

A new normal

After spending a few months at the YMCA-run shelter, Mwaka was able to move out with her children to her mother’s house. 

Women’s stays at the Laweni shelter vary widely, with some living there for two weeks – others for up to a year or longer.

With her fresh start, Mwaka enrolled her children in a new school and began working part-time as an office clerk. Sitting in her kitchen in July 2023, the avid painter reflected on her experiences and how they’ve shaped her while surrounded by her own colourful creations.

“I learned invaluable lessons from what happened,” Keiza said. “When you detach yourself from an abuser, you can see the value of who you are. And once you realize the value of who you are, you will thrive.”

* Names have been changed. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The United States launched a new program that will engage Ethiopian communities in health-related decision-making, to improve knowledge and understanding of their rights, available services, and fee structures, so that they can manage their own health.  The $35 million dollar project is designed to ensure that all community members, including the most marginalized, have access to Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent services by enhancing services in private and independent health facilities.

It will be implemented over four years and is called the USAID Empowered Communities Activity.  It will work with the Ministry of Health to build the capacity of civil society organizations, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and private sector actors for more transparent, responsive, and accountable health services.

The new activity was launched in Addis Ababa, and was attended by USAID/Ethiopia’s Deputy Mission Director Tim Stein, Dr Ruth Nigatu, Chief of Staff to Minister of Health, Executive Vice President of Project Hope Chris Skopec, regional health bureaus, donor agencies, development partners, UN and civil society organizations, and academia and the private sector, among others.

Over the past decades, USAID has worked with partners to strengthen Primary Health Care in Ethiopia.  For 120 years, the United States and Ethiopia have partnered in health and education, agriculture and food security, science and the environment, and many other areas to improve the lives of all Ethiopians.

To learn more about the #US-Ethiopia120Years of partnership, visit: U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia and follow U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa | Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia.

The “Can-boy” Association of Liberia on Saturday, March 30, 2024, presented a petition to the Government of Liberia through Vice President Honorable Jeremiah Koung over the recent prohibition of combustible petroleum products in jars.

“Can-boys” are Petty traders who sell diesel fuel and gasoline in mayonnaise jars on various street corners in Monrovia and its environs.

The inter-governmental task force issued the prohibition recently with police carrying out raids to curb the illegal trade and clean the streets.

The Association’s President, Bobby Grewe in the petition requested the intervention of  VP Koung over their eviction while appealing for more time to have them finally relocate from the streets.

He further proposed the establishment of a mini-mobile exchange both along the streets and in other parts of Liberia for their use as part of a strategy to address the issue of illegal trade and keep the city clean.

In response, the Liberian Vice President applauded the Association for peacefully submitting a petition to the government through his office. He recognized the contribution of “Can-boys” to the country’s economy while assuring that their concerns would be reviewed by the government.

Vice President Koung according to a release then admonished the group to remain peaceful as the Government looked into their concerns. Vice President Koung maintained that the intent of the inter-governmental task force is not to go after Liberians who are struggling but to ensure the safety of the environment and keep it clean for the citizens.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.

Sri Lanka has identified potential areas of cooperation with Somalia as it lies on the crossroads of international maritime and global sea trade, providing easy access to markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. This was conveyed to the President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud by Ambassador Theshantha Kumarasiri when he presented credentials to the former as Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Federal Republic of Somalia with residence in Addis Ababa. The credential ceremony was held on 21 March 2024 at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu.

President Mohamud was appreciative of the decision made by the Government of Sri Lanka to enhance relations with African countries, including Somalia, in line with its ‘Look Africa’ policy. In light of the strategic location of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, President Mohamud expressed his keen interest in exploring opportunities for partnerships between Somalia and Sri Lanka.

During the visit to Mogadishu, Ambassador Kumarasiri engaged in a number of discussions with competent authorities of the Government of Somalia and potential private sector entrepreneurs in identified fields of cooperation. Further, technical cooperation in the fields of fisheries, hospitality industry, and agriculture was envisaged.

Ambassador Kumarasiri had a series of cordial discussion with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ali Mohamed Omar, State Minister of Agriculture&Irrigation Asad Abdirisak Mohamed, Director General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy Abdicate Dirshe, Deputy Director General of the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry Professor Ciise M. Xalane,  Principal Advisor to the Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy Hassan Haji Ibrahim, Ambassador at Large for Spanish&Portuguese Speaking countries Dr. Omar M. Mohamed together with  a group of potential business personalities in Somalia with a view  to establishing favorable business partnerships and joint ventures between Sri Lanka and Somalia.

During discussions, While taking into consideration that the Blue Economy will be a major contributor to continental transformation in Africa and sustainable growth, two parties agreed to take appropriate action to advance knowledge and cooperation in the fisheries industry between Sri Lanka and Somalia in collaboration with international partners.

It was observed that Somalia’s energy requirements are growing due to increasing development in the country. Accordingly, in light of President Mohamud’s determination of restoring security, peace, and stability in the country, Ambassador Kumarasiri emphasized his aspiration towards establishing partnerships for economic development, particularly on vast untapped sustainable green energy potential in Somalia, through private sector business partnerships and in collaboration with diaspora community of the two countries.

The discussion was also focused on the potential cooperation in the healthcare industry and agricultural sector between Sri Lanka and Somalia. In addition to the above, attention was also drawn to establishing the potential linkages between the Somali Chamber of Commerce&Industry (SCCI), and identified Business Chambers in Sri Lanka in view of transferring knowledge, sharing technological know-how, building partnerships for infrastructure development and providing innovative technological and professional services,&consultation, while supporting and accelerating long-term benefits for the potential industries.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Addis Ababa closely engages with the competent authorities of the government of Somalia and private sector organizations in order to further enhance the existing bilateral political, trade&commercial and the people-to-people contacts between Sri Lanka and Somalia for the mutual benefits of the people of two countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka.