“She now boldly speaks about her ordeal and uses her story to empower other young girls.”
As Public Prosecutor in the Regional Court system of Zimbabwe, Shamiso handled multiple cases, but none more gruesome than this young 16-year-old girl’s rape. The crime left her body impaired and unable to give birth.
“I prosecuted the case successfully and secured a conviction. I did my best to remind the young girl that she could still be anything in life, and this should not discourage her from pursuing her dreams. (FAST FORWARD 8 Years) Just a few days ago, I received a call from an unknown number. I answered, and the voice reminded me of this case. She thanked me and told me she was now going to University and that I was her role model. I was so humbled I cried as I spoke with her.”
If you are attending our Triumph of the Heart Gala this Friday evening here in South Florida, you will hear the video testimony of Shamiso, a human rights attorney and ministry leader with African Enterprise in Zimbabwe. Moved by the despair of young girls all around her, Shamiso stood up, fought back, and her courage emboldened this young woman, a survivor of rape, to take action on behalf of others.
Sadly, this case is not rare or unusual. Yet, God is moving among His people, teaching and training us to:
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9
Girls experience greater abuse in developing nations. For example:
• In 2013, UNESCO reported that nearly 25 percent of all girls in developing countries have not completed primary school, and that out of the 774 million people in the world who are illiterate, two-thirds are women.
• Many factors play into the inequality seen in educational systems in numerous developing countries where for every 100 boys not enrolled in primary school there are 426 girls. Often, poverty is the primary reason for this discrepancy. When families struggle to send multiple children to class, male children are often prioritized. Many girls in developing countries are oppressed by traditional gender roles that marginalize a female’s role in society.
• Across the world over 60 million girl babies are ‘missing’ – killed for being a girl or deliberately under-nourished and neglected.
• 99 percent of women and young girls in one specific North African nation report experiencing abuse, according to psychologists serving that population.
• In just one Muslim South Asian nation, over 1,000 women a year are murdered in the name of ‘honour’. (according to the United Nations)
Shamiso saw a need and took a step in faith to speak up so that this young lady can now stand out as someone making a difference in her generation. Women in the Window International is committed to connecting women across cultures and generations to replace poverty and injustice with dignity and purpose in Christ.
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Shamiso, Pictured with WiW Ministry Partner, Mama Paula
