Neema Namadamu
Neema Namadamu is an advocate for peace and a women's rights and disability rights activist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).[1] She founded the Maman Shujaa Media Center to empower women and give them voices to tell their stories.
Biography
[edit]Namadamu was born in the High Plains of Itombwe in South Kivu Province.[2] When she was two, she contracted polio and became physically disabled because of the disease.[3] Because of this, her father decided to take a second wife because in the DRC, disabled children are "often regarded as a curse."[2] She recalls that as a child, she did not have crutches, so her mother, Polline Nyirambarato, carried her on her back to school when road conditions were poor.[2] Namadamu started promoting awareness for people with disabilities when she was in high school and had her own radio show.[4] Later, when she went to college, she became the first woman with disability from her tribe to graduate from university in DRC.[5]
After she graduated, she was chosen as a Deputy to represent South Kivu Province in the National Assembly.[5] After serving in Parliament, she became the Technical Advisor for the DRC Minister of Gender and Family.[5]
When Namadamu's daughter was twenty-five, she was attacked by members of the Congolese National Army and beaten.[6] Namadamu recalls that she "felt a strong desire for violent revenge," however, she chose to break the cycle of revenge and instead of fighting individuals, "We are fighting the system," she said.[7] Namadamu founded the Maman Shujaa Media Center which works in connection with World Pulse, a global women's empowerment network.[8] The organization is located in Bukavu, where she is able to provide digital literacy education for women.[6] Maman Shujaa means "Hero Women" and the project is designed not only to educate women, but to give them a platform to share their stories with the world.[7] Each woman learns to become a "digital activist" in the DRC.[8] Her work shows "the resilience and importance of women in Congo who live in an environment that is violently oppressive to women."[9]
Awards
[edit]In November 2023, Namadamu was named to the BBC's 100 Women list.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ Cunningham, Erin (April 4, 2014). "Making a Difference in Hell". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ a b c Namadamu, Neema (18 April 2014). "Congo's Hero Women: Creating a Different Future". Huffington Post. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ "Activist Spotlight: Neema Namadamu". Nobel Women's Initiative. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
- ^ Namadamu, Neema. "Neema Namadamu". World Pulse. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ a b c "Neema Namadamu: When Women Roar!". Channel Initiative. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Neema Namadamu". Beauty in the Middle. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ a b Dear, John (15 October 2013). "Neema Namadamu, Congo's Visionary Peacemaker". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ a b Afzal, Sara (23 September 2013). "Digital Connections Empower Women to Change Their Futures". Mashable. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ Smith, Katie (22 July 2013). "Women and Congo: When We Are Together, We Are Strong". Enough. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ "BBC 100 Women 2023: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. November 23, 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-24.