The hidden secret.

It was a rainy day in the outskirts of Nairobi, knowing the snarl-up that causes commotion around the city, the policemen were busy ensuring some order was maintained around. Brita staring at her watch endlessly as calls flashed in, the traffic which was at a standstill for almost twenty minutes made her impatient. Finally, the cars began moving as she hastily tried reaching her destination on time. She arrived late but caught everyone's attention with her presence as she stepped out of a black, flashy, tinted car, she was masked in a pair of black circular sunglasses, clothed in a long-sleeved dress, with high edged shoes. Her footsteps described her as a strong, independent and brave woman. As she walked majestically through the hallway towards her office, murmurs and glances were thrown at her.

As she grasped the knob of her office door, Samson her manager asked “Brita what is wrong with your face? It looks swollen, a part of your cheek is sewed up in stitches and I rarely see you covering your perfect maiden figure with long-sleeved dresses.” Brita answered, “I tripped and hit a board and fell down the stairs, just some minor injuries, no need to worry about me.” Brita’s answer reminded me of the kind of excuses women give when they cover up the tracks of violence.

Brita’s childhood friend Valerie has been experiencing a phase that no one knew about. She had the Cinderella kind of fairy tale. She met a man who loved and adored her. During her courtship, she proudly enjoyed the company of her man but lately, it seems like she is in a fix. Her mode of dressing, her company of friends and her environment has changed she looks different something is peculiar about Valerie…

One sunny arrested Sunday afternoon the two friends Brita and Valerie walked through the crispy grass. By the look on their faces, you could tell the aura of Karura forest coupled with kissing of falling leaves melted their hearts. They joyfully jumped around with their hands freely wide. They sat down on the well-cut green grass, and the smell of the forest was pulpy, and the peaceful, serene environment was soul-soothing… “B..ritttt…a…I have something I need you to know, during the past few months Judas has been behaving weirdly.

He has been pushing me away from my own friends. Whenever we argue he insults me and constantly has been accusing me of cheating. He has restrained me from interacting with friends and colleagues at my workplace. Additionally, he determines my mode of dressing and threatens to kill himself if I leave. "Valerie said, as she began reminiscing, she was trembling, and tears fell down her cheeks. Brita was shocked because, she realized that; they were two strong beautiful women, going through the same problem but different scenarios.

“Valerie, why have you been quiet about this? I will admit I am also facing a difficult time in my marriage. Desmond has been beating me up for the longest time because he thinks am cheating. He was not like this before; I can’t even have peace in my own home. I have to brace myself because I thought, I was strong enough to go through it all but am slowly becoming weaker by the day.” she said.

At some point, there was silence between the two childhood friends and tears flooded uncontrollably not knowing what to say. Their faces looked a bit pale, and Brita showed Valerie her body parts which were deeply wounded, and other parts covered with numerous stitches. While this was happening, Valerie could barely speak and she opened her messages and gave them to Brita to read. The insults, accusations, and threats that were issued to Valerie were unbearable. After all the crying and venting, the two decided to meet more often and attend counseling classes.

Eight months later, Valerie had broken up with her obsessive boyfriend and Brita filled her divorce papers against her husband Desmond. “My colleagues, I know you have noticed dynamic changes in the past few months. I have been going through physical a... buse while my friend here Valerie, has gone through emotional abuse, it does not matter what abuse you are facing it is wrong. I want to encourage you, women, in this room to speak out. Men respect your women and vice versa do not take advantage of them…”

This shocked many because Brita did not seem like she was experiencing such a hard time. Valerie spoke and afterward, they realized it was a hidden secret.Even those other women in the office were afraid to speak out. This was life-changing for some, just like that, they started up a campaign together let us end gender-based violence. Valerie and Brita are now closer than ever, they counsel both women and girls at workplaces and universities during the weekend.

Truly “Sometimes it is difficult to realize or hear our own prejudices and own up to their existence. Admitting there is a problem is the first step to recovery. “Thomas Hedge

#domesticviolence #speakup