Global Women's Voices: Share Personal Stories

Tatiana, United States

Submitted by:

i am a young girl of 16. when i was 13 i was all about supporting women's rights. i was a big feminist but everybody thought that i shouldn't support womens rights.

one night when i was walking home from a friend's house 5 boys jumped me and 3 of them raped me while the others were watch guards. when i got home i did the worst thing a girl in my position could do. i went upstairs burned my clothes and jumped into the shower. i sat there under streaming warm water for a long time before my mother came up. i told her what happened in between my sobs.

we reported it to the police but one of the boys got away with it because i could not identify him. a few monthes later i found that i was pregnant. my mom wanted me to have abortion. i thought of it but decided to keep my child. it was the only thing keeping me alive. i had a purpose with it.

when my child was born i felt the real purpose and the real power that my sexuality has. we have the power to give and take life itself. with my newborn girl came my conviction to speak once again for women's right. now my girl will be turning 2 next week and i am already teaching her that nothing is better than sticking with what you believe and that being a women is something to be proud of.

updated: 7/2/2004