I am Secretary General of the Association of Central African Women Lawyers, and spokesperson for a platform for young women called ‘I Londo Awè’, which means ‘We are already standing’ in Sango. I’m a single mother of two children.
At ‘I Londo Awè’, we fight for women to be at the heart of the peace process in CAR, by seeking parity within the Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission.
Since coronavirus cases were reported in CAR, we have been campaigning for preventative measures to be put in place by the government. We are campaigning to help vulnerable populations, especially women. It would be great if everyone could have a handwashing kit with soap and clean water at an affordable price.
Many do not believe that the coronavirus exists in CAR. I believe it. When you arrive at my house, we greet you from a distance and we direct you to wash your hands. When I go to the office, I put on my mask, and when I come home from my workday, my children say to me: “Mom, wash your hands!”. I raise awareness around me.
Defending the interests of women is important in CAR. Customs and traditions weigh on women, and they cannot speak out. I have been marginalized and underestimated. People think that all I care for is studying and work, and that family life does not interest me.
What helps me hold on is to stay focused on my goal to become a public figure. I hope that one day this dream will come true, and that I can make big decisions to change the lives of women in my country.
