Rape, (in)justice and the power of communication, by Mercedes Sayagues

We share here a powerful story about rape and justice – or rather, injustice – by freelance journalist and Rain Barrel Associate Mercedes Sayagues. Her article for the Centre for Good Governance dramatically illustrates the distance between Mozambique’s good laws and their poor implementation, told through one rape. Sadly, the case came to court several weeks ago — and the court clerk apparently forgot to send the summons to the alleged rapist, so no case. He is free and the woman is afraid.

As Mercedes notes: justice delayed is justice denied.

http://gga.org/stories/editions/aif-35-balancing-justice/rape-and-justice

Interestingly, the story is being translated into Portuguese and will be used by NGOs training police, nurses, community leaders, etc. on gender-based violence in Mozambique. They already use Mercedes’ interview of “Luisa” (the woman featured in the article) produced in Maputo in 2013, just after the rape.

Here is a link to the video, in Portuguese: “I was raped, I demand justice”.

Mercedes’ video was used as an advocacy tool with women parliamentarians around the revision of the country’s penal code in 2013. And it was shown on national TV on a popular talk show.

An excellent example of the power of media and communication to highlight a (hidden) problem and move people.