Despite being a victim of rape, Zimbabwean Gabriella Nyaruvende is dreaming big and is already doing big not just for herself but for other woman out there who are being abused but not opening up due to the fear of a backlash by the society and being labelled.
Nyaruvende who spoke to News of The South explained how she was raped and when she reported the case to the police, her case was dismissed for lack of evidence in the courts.
Sitting with such a woman who was traumatised because of the rape incident, as if that was not enough after making a bold decision to stand up and fight the culprit in courts there she was again at receiving end of the courts, her case was dismissed, what a tragedy?
Nyaruvende was never taken back as she is already writing a book, in which she narrates how she was raped by her boy friend? Weird to some, how can she be raped by her boyfriend?
That question is the one which led her come out of the silence to speak out to conscientise the nation about rape.
In her yet to be published book “ Don`t Bully Me Into Silence” which she is now doing final touches on she castigates the courts for protecting culprits, she speaks aloud as a lone voice for the voiceless women who are being raped but due to many circumstances are remaining silent.
She says her case was handled unfairly as always with rape cases, when a magistrate uses his cultural warped mentality in court which may mean that an adult woman cannot be raped by her lover! If this can be the case at this era our world is a very dangerous place for women as after being raped they end up again mocked at by the culprits who will be walking scot free.
Gabriella now is a woman on a mission to make every woman know her rights and she has already started a non profit making organisation which deals with victims of rape and offers counselling to traumatised children.
With a book coming out soon and an organisation under her belt she is showing the world how she has developed a thick skin and a passion in helping making this world a safer place for the girl-child and boys as well.
Nyaruvende’s is looking to become the Betty Makoni (Girl Child Network Founder) of this generation, one who fights not for the oppressed but one who gives voice to the voiceless.
Speaking as if the tragedy happened to someone, Nyaruvende who possess a never say die spirit, and the courage which is extra-ordinary, she spoke with smiles and laughs here and there but one could clearly see how serious and determined she is.
“Its really a shame that the courts sometimes fail to do their mandate properly and this is so tough to us rape victims, imagine the whole noise a rape case carries and how fast it travels so by engaging courts and the police you will be trying to bring courage to some other rape victims out-there but if my case is dismissed in an unjust manner do you think any woman will come out and speak of any form of abuse”, said Nyaruvende.
“After realising that the courts have failed to give me the cover, protection and justice I then felt something in me saying do not end here write a document about this, speak out, that voice kept on telling me to act, until I was convinced to write a book which narrates what happened and how I was ill-treated by the courts .
The rape and the court judgement inspired me to stand tall and to raise my voice higher through the pen and a paper so as to make those who will be victimised borrow a leaf and stand up even if everyone is opposing you.
As soon as I started writing much of my grief just disappeared meaning the writing of this book healed me.”, narrated Nyaruvende.
As a teacher she said she then started having interest in issues affecting her pupils in class hence started counselling sessions to assist all affected students, and soon students were coming to her with different cases of abuse, and with psychological problems.
“After seeing the rise in the number of kids who came for help and counselling I then took it to the whole school and that is the same reason which led me to form the Tarisai/khanhelani iZimbabwe Foundation to cater for support to abused children, and to work with them so that they have confidence and take action if they happen to be victims of abuse.
The organisation is growing and I`m currently planning to expand it so that it cannot be a Bulawayo project alone”, said Nyaruvende.
“This iniative is on behalf of the magistrate, the lawyer, the police officers because even they themselves or their loved ones and children can be raped just as I was. Anyone can be raped, and no-one deserves it.
“We all have different ways of enjoying our time with our loved ones without any sexual intercourse. I`m trying to be my brother and sister’s keeper.
Fact is you can never prepare for rape because it is an attack. No one is safe even in their own backyards. I have been humiliated enough and I will not let anyone hurt another human being in that way.
Sex is the holiest and most sacred thing created by God Almighty, but people are now using it as ammunition to destroy lives. The judiciary system finds it funny when someone is raped. It is indeed a gross miscarriage of justice when exposing a crime such as rape is treated as committing a crime, it is despicable morale decadency.
Today and always I refuse to be bullied into silence. I am finally on my own, and have no contact with him. I feel stronger already and I am definitely ready to open up. I have a conviction and an obligation to tell my story to the world. All I know is I cannot be silent about it” said Nyaruvende.
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