Poem: “Speak Up” by Patience G. Okyere Asante

You are not the problem; speak up!
~
Dear woman,
You are precious in every way.

You were beautifully created and crafted.

Your maker meant for you to be cherished and not battered.

You are meant to be treasured and not trampled on.

So speak up when you experience violence of any form.

Remember that love is not violent.

So rise from the mess and speak up.

Speaking up is difficult and painful; But remember that you have so much power within you than you ever thought.

Speak up dear woman!

Rise and take your place.

Speak about your pain; for there’s no virtue in injustice.

There is help for you; so speak up.

It is not your fault; you are not the problem; so speak up.

You deserve better; speak up!

Save yourself, save others; speak up!

Save your children, save generations unborn; speak up!

You have a responsibility to yourself and to posterity; speak up!

You are worth much more; speak up!

You are priceless; so speak up!

Rise from the mess; Mighty woman, speak up!

You are better than this; speak up!

You are not alone; speak up!

Speak up! Speak up! and speak up!
~
With much love,
P.G
©️P. G Okyere Asante (PhD) 2024

PS: This piece is dedicated to all women who are currently suffering or have ever suffered abuse or violence of any kind. If you are a male victim, this is for you too.

~ Gone are the days when you were beaten and told not to cry. It is a new dawn, so talk, cry, wail, shout, scream about your abuse from the mountain’s top because you deserve better.

~ Never protect your abuser for any reason, they do not deserve it! Abusers thrive on silence and secrecy so expose them. Don’t be afraid to speak up and expose abusers and don’t permit anyone to “shush” you. Your maker is mindful of you.

~ Research shows that about 38% of all murders are committed by intimate partners (WHO 2024). Don’t die a useless death!

~ To all stakeholders (traditional, religious, legal etc.): Let abusers pay the price. It will save their souls, deter others, and restore sanity to society. Let the secrecy and silence stop now✋

~ To Abusers: If you are an abuser, seek help. There may be deep-seated issues fueling your rage and abusive behaviour; hurt people, hurt people. There’s help for you. Save yourself and save others. Love is the greatest!

#BreakTheSilence

#ReportAbuse

#ProtectVictims

#ExposeAbusers