By Nampewo Josephine & Kobugenyi Grace

African Rural University, Uganda

 

Content Warnings: Mentions of rape and physical abuse

 

A True African Woman

 

She gave life, she is a wife, she is a mother and she is a friend.

She is a sister and a survivor to the end,

appreciate her, we don’t dare.

Ask her worries, we don’t care,

wipe away her tears, they are invisible as air.

She works, cooks and cleans. She laughs, helps, comforts and hides her pain.

When you struggle, she pulls you through, and what do we do?

Complain and create a mess, provide stress and leave her feeling depressed.

Push her away and ignore her advice

Tell her she is nothing without thinking twice.

She was raped, tortured and abused.

Told she was nothing and would always be used just for pleasure to forget her pain.

She swallows her pride, puts her feelings aside.

She does as you need in order for you to be free.

She ignores your ignorance and tolerates your flaws.

You call her bitch, slut, and tramp, she answers with pride, dignity and a complete loss of self.

You call her nothing and I call her strong, smart and sensual.