In Bredjing refugee camp in Chad women from the camp, and those living nearby, celebrated International Women's Day on 8th March with sketches, songs, poems and a sack race that Cord organised.  Afterwards girls from Cord's schools, as well as teachers, joined other groups in a long procession at the end of the event.

Awatif Mahamat is the principal at Abubakar School in Bredjing camp, and is here to celebrate with the girls from the school: “This is our festival, we want all women here to be happy today.”

The message of protecting women against violence is important for her: “We see problems in the home because of lack of resources and we must protect women. We hope that we can go back home without these bad things happening [to us],” said Awatif.

She came to Bredjing camp in 2004 with her husband and eight children. “Life was good for us before. The women would work out in the field and we had water and food for our family. Then one day the Janjaweed militia came and took our livestock. We had nothing left and we had to leave,” Awatif told us.

She came to the camp with her family and found work as a teacher with Cord. She is passionate about education: “I want to see progress in education, and see more teachers working. Education is important for us; we do not want to be oppressed when we go back [home].”

For Awatif, education is essential for a better future: “If we are educated, when we go back we can be our own people. We will be stronger and in control of our own destiny.”

After ten years in the camp she hopes that one day she will see peace and be able to return home with her family.

In Bredjing refugee camp in Chad women from the camp, and those living nearby, celebrated International Women's Day on 8th March with sketches, songs, poems and a sack race that Cord organised.  Afterwards girls from Cord's schools as well as teachers joined other groups in a long procession at the end of the event.

“It is our day to celebrate. It shows that we are significant. We want to come together [as women] to dance and celebrate.”

Madiya Ahmat Abakar is 19 years old and came to Bredjing refugee camp in 2003 just after the violence erupted over the border in Sudan. As she fled with her family they were separated, but along with her mother she arrived safely in Chad.

At first life was hard in the camp. “I would go to market with my mother every day. It was difficult and a hard life,” Madiya admitted.

But her family were eventually reunited in the camp and she now lives with her nine siblings and uncle.

She began to attend one the schools that Cord runs and get an education, successfully graduating from primary school and she now works as a teacher with Cord, as well as continuing her secondary school studies.

“If you are not educated it is a hard life. You cannot find work, and you are forced to leave your family and move away. Now I have education and a job, I can help my whole family. I can support them in their problems and provide for themm,” said Madiya.

Education has given her the opportunity to think about a bright future ahead: “Without an education everything is dark and life is difficult, education brings light and you can see a positive change. Now I have learnt new skills I want to travel and see and work in different countries,” Madiya concludes.

On 8 March, International Women’s Day, we're launching 'One in three is one too many' which focusses on our work with women who suffer physical or sexual violence.

One in three women around the world suffer physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.* Violence occurs in many forms and in many places – domestic violence in the home; sexual harassment at school, work and public places; in refugee camps; or during conflict as a tactic of war.

Many women across Africa and Asia, where Cord is working, remain unaware of their right not to experience violence. In traditional or rural societies women often have roles that keep them at home, so they don’t have the opportunity to speak out.

Cord works with organisations abroad to help women speak out against all forms of violence, through human rights and non-violent communication training.  Just £10 can give a woman the chance to learn what her basic human rights are, and somewhere to go when she experiences violence.

We have created a fundraising resource called ‘Girl’s Night In’ for women everywhere to support the campaign.  To get involved all you need to do is invite your friends round and have a good old girly evening. A FREE resource pack contains a playlist and film suggestions, along with mocktail and cocktail recipes. Click here to download a pack.

Bridget Miles, Cord Fundraiser, said: “Of course we want men to support the campaign too!  Supporters can do anything to fundraise for the campaign. The statistic from the UN is shocking. At Cord, we think the fact that one billion women live in fear is completely unacceptable.” 
 
*UNITE To End Violence Against Women Campaign,initiated by UN Secretary-General's Office 2008.

Campaign video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGTjN2esWGA