OUR BROKEN SILENCE

By Esther Mwelu,

Photo Credit ; @AdelleOnyango on Twitter.

 Hello.How are you? Welcome back.Thank you for the support so far.I am really grateful to each and everyone of you who takes their time to read my reviews.Always let me know what you think and share with me your opinions and perspectives.Let's get right into today's review.

A quick story time guys.Early this year,in March to be precise,I was scrolling on Twitter and I came across a tweet by Sheaffer Okore who had a giveaway for tickets to attend the launch of this book.I decided to try my luck and sure enough I was chosen.I think it was also because I was the first one to comment on that tweet.

I collected my nerves and gathered enough courage to attend the book launch and I am glad I did.The event was filled with powerful people, literally but they all were generally amazing.It was a star-studded event.The first female Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya, Honourable Martha Koome was present.

The cherry on top though was me meeting and greeting Janet Mbugua.She was literally sitted Infront of me.I feel all those emotions I felt on that day.It was an amazing day.Let's get back to the review now.

Our Broken Silence is a book co-authored by Lanji Ouko-Awori and Adelle Onyango.It is a collection of diary entries written by victims, survivors,activists, doctors,lawyers and many more who share their experiences.

"Speaking against violence towards women is not feminism, it's what a normal human being does." - Gabs

"Some of us have never found the courage to speak up.I guess , getting through each day and "moving on" is courage too itself." -Adhiambo O.

It is a close look into the lives of those who've suffered the unfortunate touch of one of the most prevalent forms of violence,sexual violence.

"The book exposes the insidious nature of the vice that tends to shame the victim instead of the perpetrator."

"No one wants to be sexually assaulted or raped.No one has a right to sexually molest another!It matters not that the victim was in the perpetrators house or on a date,or whatever mode of dress!" -CJ Martha Koome on the foreword.

The book provides history.It provides context and statistics.It even goes the extra mile to provide solutions that can be undertaken to curb this menace more especially by the Judiciary.It amplifies the voices of those who have experienced this injustice.

"Breaking silence to break the cycle of stigma."

"I fought sometimes to rebuild, sometimes replace , and sometimes forget what was stolen."

Sexual violence is a conversation that we need to have and discuss publicly with our peers and mates.It shouldn't be a hush hush conversation.

Purpose to get a copy of this book and I hope after reading it,you will be encouraged to play your role,as small as it may seem,in eradicating this menace in society.

Oh and my copy of the book was autographed by Adelle Onyango (had to flex a little bit).

Love and Light.See you on the next one.