Actions | War and Peace

Send A Message Of Support To The Women of Darfur

From Sondra Crosby, MD at PHR:

I consider myself a strong person. As a primary care physician, my specialty is treatment of refugees—often survivors of torture and violence. But nothing could have prepared me for what I saw on the Chad-Sudan border last November. I want to tell you about the women I met and their incredible stories of trauma and ultimately of hope.

I joined a team of volunteer female researchers and physicians led by Physicians for Human Rights. We traveled to the Farchana Camp in the remote desert of Eastern Chad to interview and examine Darfuri women refugees. Ironically, atrocities by Sudan drove the women from their homes - not to a place of refuge - but to another place of terror, a place of deprivation, fear and ongoing sexual violence.

As experts in scientific investigation of trauma, we documented the use of rape as a weapon of war in Darfur, the continuation of sexual violence in Chad and ongoing depression and despair.

Now we have a rare medical study that can be used to help end impunity and generate more effective protection and support. We hope with your help our efforts will bring about justice for these women. No one can dare claim any longer that the situation is exaggerated or undocumented, or that violent sexual attacks were consensual. Now we have the truth.

Many of these women were sharing their compelling stories for the first time. Their anguish has stayed with me. But so has their strength. They told their stories so that PHR could share them with the world.

I encourage you to support the resilient but suffering women survivors of Darfur by reading the just-released report from PHR, Nowhere to Turn, at DarfuriWomen.org. The website has a place where you can send a message of solidarity and hope to our sisters from Darfur. They will know that their plight is not forgotten, and that we are campaigning to help them.

This is a one-time pledge that can be fulfilled any time.

Report close
You must be signed in to report content.

Comments, Suggestions and Stories

Alejandra Paz @ 12:57PM PT Nov 19

Support anything you can. A lot of people careless about issues like these simply because they don't affect them; however, be empathetic. What if it were you???
ESPERANZA ORTEGA montebello, CA @ 08:22AM PT Nov 19

I feel like I'm someone project, They are trying to decide what is good for me, and if it doesn't work take it away. When something is working good for Women they figure a way to take that away from us as well, I'm not for sale either is MY BODY, MY SPIRIT. I will not stop fighting for women's rights.
Brigitte Goddemeyer New York, NY @ 05:31AM PT Nov 19

I feel it is important to show the people of Darfur that they are not forgotten, although it is difficult to do something from here.
ESPERANZA ORTEGA montebello, CA @ 10:32PM PT Nov 06

WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR WOMENS RIGHTS SICE THE 1800'S ITS TIME WOMENS VOICES ARE HEARED FROM ALL PARTS OF THIS WORLD.
tom James chicago, IL @ 10:42AM PT Oct 17

the kharma of the world starts on singular levels.
Meghan Kilroy Billings, MT @ 05:41PM PT Oct 03

We cann ot imagine your pain. But please take heart! Help WILL come!
NICOLE LAWLOR greenfield, WI @ 01:44PM PT Oct 02

Someday I hope that what I am working towards in school will one day make it safer for women all over the world to be happy and healthy and not have to worry about walking down the street or enjoying the little things in life.
Diane renkin @ 11:38AM PT Sep 17

I would hope that someday I can help in more ways.
james m nordlund Fargo, ND @ 11:23PM PT Jun 11
Pledge fulfilled Jun 11!

My added comments :) Hi, Good Day, and thanx for all you do and don't, All. A couple thoughts come to mind :)

The more compassion is given, the more it is; like art. It's not our outstretched hand, alone, that uplifts another, when we do, for, we're uplifted too. It's not a sacrifice when one does what needs to be done, rather, it's our false-ego that's sacrificed before the alter of self. You are all in our thoughts, actions and prayers. Ciao.

reality
Bryan D. Freehling Lahaska, PA @ 09:55AM PT Jun 09
Pledge fulfilled Jun 09!

Thank you for bringing light to such a serious matter.