I was filling a petition form on crimes against against humanity in Nigeria and coincidentally a documntary on rape victims in Rwanda was showing on aljazeera. A woman described what it was like to be raped by over four men and ending up with an unwanted child who wouldn’t quit asking about his father in a country where sexual talks is a considerd a taboo. I watched as a woman, a mother cried about raising the pain she would like to bury in not just sand, but also cover in concrete. She read a letter her son sent her from school on reasons why he wants to know who his father is when all of a sudden, her head fell on the table and she cried like we all did in primary school when our uncle flogs us for failing a class work.
I didn't feel the tears driping from my eyes as I was lost in her world. I imagine being in her shoes; having society look down on you for being a very hurt victim of war. As I filled my form, I arrived at a box that asked why I was signing the petition…why?
Becasuse of the 219 and many more girls that were kidnapped. Because of the girls and mothers being raped and tortured by terrorists. Because of the women that will end up raising children they never asked for. For my brothers being kidnapped and forced into terrorism. For those who were slaughtered, burnt, bombed or shot. Because of the orphans created by this insurgency. For my people living as refugees in other countries and are still not safe. For my people in distress, struggle, pain and sorrow.
I don't have to know these people or be from the north east to sympathize with or speak up for them. I just have to be human. I jst have to be a Nigerian to feel the pain of my country men be they from my religion, tribe, or not. So I signed the petition for my country men in suffering; I signed the petiton for Nigeria. I signed the petition in the hope that the tears in my eyes will dry up soon enough for my heart to light up in joy as my great country stops bleeding.
