declaration contre toute sorte de discrimination et marginalisation
by vermigna wabujolela | July 18, 2012 at 8:54 AM | English translation available
suis une femme veuve agee de 40 ans nee dans la province du sud-kivu,territoire de SHABUNDA; jalouse de mes samblables(femme) qui subissent toute sorte de marginalisation.
Dans notre territoire,une veuve n'a pas droit de parler devant les gens,de rehausser la tete, mager quant elle veut de ou dormir dans son lit car,le jour meme que le mari a perdu la vie, la chambre doit etre fermee et la cle gardee par la fammille du mari et cela 3mois apres la mort de son mari,Pour l'heritage elle n'a pas droit de reclamer, 6mois apres la mort de son mari,elle doit rentrer chez elle se reposer .Cas echeant ;Madame Vermigna WABUJOLELA
Apres la deception ,elle ne s'est pas laissee faire, comme elle travaillait avec son mari depuis leurs mariage qui etait un vrais initiateur des de trois GRANDES ONGs dont les deux ont ete arachees avant la mort du mari et la troisiemes etait derangee par la famille du mari apres sa mort ,elle s'est lancee dans les activites humanitaires(communautaires) ou avec l'aide du seigneur,elle a decouvert qu'elle peut redemarrer ces activites restant comme coordinitrice de cette derniere.
Malgres la multiplication de difficultes,elle reste toujours tres brave Premierement pour defendre les femmes veuves de la province du sud -kivu en general et en particulier celles du territoire de SHABUNDA
English translation by PulseWire member merehutch
I am a 40 year old widow, born in the South Kivu Province, Shabunda Territory; I am concerned with my fellow women undergoing any kind of marginalization.
In our country, a widow has no right to speak to people, to raise her head, to eat when she wants to or to sleep in her husband’s bed, because the same day her husband died, the room must be closed and the key guarded by his family. For 3 months after the death of her husband she has no claim to any inheritance. 6 months after the death of her husband, she may return to her home to rest. If possible, Madame Vermigna WABUJOLELA does not want to abandon the work of her and her husband – as their marriage was the start of three big NGOs. Two of these organizations were uprooted after her husband’s death, and the third was disturbed by her husband’s family following his passing. She discovered that she can restart these activities and remain as the coordinator of the third NGO. Despite many difficulties, Madame Vermingna is very brave – defending women and especially widows in the South Kivu Province and especially the territory of Shabunda.
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Translation
I am a 40 year old widow, born in the South Kivu Province, Shabunda Territory; I am concerned with my fellow women undergoing any kind of marginalization.
In our country, a widow has no right to speak to people, to raise her head, to eat when she wants to or to sleep in her husband’s bed, because the same day her husband died, the room must be closed and the key guarded by his family. For 3 months after the death of her husband she has no claim to any inheritance. 6 months after the death of her husband, she may return to her home to rest. If possible, Madame Vermigna WABUJOLELA does not want to abandon the work of her and her husband – as their marriage was the start of three big NGOs. Two of these organizations were uprooted after her husband’s death, and the third was disturbed by her husband’s family following his passing. She discovered that she can restart these activities and remain as the coordinator of the third NGO. Despite many difficulties, Madame Vermingna is very brave – defending women and especially widows in the South Kivu Province and especially the territory of Shabunda.
Thank you for the courage you
Thank you for the courage you have shown in sharing your story. It is so important that we tell the truths of our lives, both to bring attention to injustice and for so many others who are having similar experiences to know they are not alone. I admire your bravery and strength. Can you share with us the name of the NGOs that you are restarting and running?
declaration contre toute sorte de discrimination et marginalisat
Dear Madame Vermigna,
I cannot thank you enough for sharing with us your story. The customs and traditions that occur in your culture are very new to m, and I an grateful to learn. I am sure that overcoming your husband's death has been difficult. However, I must commend you on your entrepreneurial spirit and strength to carry out the dream you shared with your husband to begin the three NGOs. You have the true spirit of a leader. Your desire to continue this dream and to make it a reality under the current circumstances further illustrate your strong capacity and capability. I wish you the most sincere congratulations and know that your NGOs will be very successful.
Many Thanks,
Bina
Kind Regards,
Bina Patel
Group Whynot, LLC
www.groupwhynot.com
Knowing the Norm isn't always Right
The hardest thing about tradition is not everyone can conform; and those that don't NEED to be brave. BRAVO/Good Job Vermigna on your bravery! Regardless of tradition and customs, sometimes situations change and those customs and traditions need to be changed in order to achieve progress. You have the support of MANY women in many countries through the World Pulse website; giving you encouragement and emotional support if needed. Do not give up on hard work that is yours, but also do not be afraid to start over if need be! I've seen too many women stay in a very bad situation due to material things. No land, no clothing, no jewelry is worth losing your self respect or LIFE for. If you are strong willed and able, and you sound as if your a natural entrepreneur! Hopefully the women of your community will support you in this endeavor; and you will be able to help them in return in the future if faced with the same situation. Just as you've contacted us for moral support and a world "ear", you should continue to contact people in authority, non-profit organizations, and leaders in your community about changing this law which is quite devastating to the families; women especially. Do not be afraid to be the change you want to see around you. It's amazing how many people will stand by your side; they've just been waiting for someone else to stand up first:)
Bless you & Best of Luck!
Rebecca
Listener/Educator/Women Supporter
Michigan, USA
Merci infiniment pour le partage
Madame Vermigna,
Can't thank you enough for sharing such a story. One would never know the realities of other societies without people like you sharing personal stories and illuminating some ignorance about other societies. Actually this cause for which you advocate has not a lot of attention in our world though its importance and implications.
I salute your bravery and you should remain a change-maker in your country and indeed in the world if we all look up at your change-making.
Que Dieu vous protège ma sœur
Aya Chebbi
Proudly Tunisian