I believe in butterflies. They always give people the hope for transformation. Butterflies are living examples that moving from one step to another is possible. Before a butterfly blooms to a beautiful and colourful creature, it was once a caterpillar. It moved from a not so pleasant creature to a wonderful and hopeful butterfly. Its powerful transformation gives women hope that gender justice will come soon.
I was born in a society where women are disempowered. During my childhood years, I thought it was normal for women to stay at home, care for the children, cook food for the family and do the laundry. It was what my mother was doing since I was born. My father on the other hand spends most of his time at work or with his friends drinking. More often than not, he comes home drunk and hit my mother. My mom endured it. She kept her sufferings for herself. Sometimes, I see her crying in the bathroom. She tried very hard to hide her tears from us. One day, she gained her courage to say enough. She packed our things and brought us to our grandparents’ house. Unfortunately, instead of understanding my mother, our grandparents encouraged her to go back to our father because it was shameful for a woman to leave her husband. In my young age, I thought it was unfair. My mother had been suffering and all they care for is the family name. My mom who has no job at that time did not have any choice but go back to our father. Deep inside, I was infuriated.
My siblings and I are witnesses of growing dysfunction of our family. My father never changed his ways. His drinking became worse but my mother endured it. I am sure that she was just enduring their relationship for our future’s sake. Entire my childhood, I was disillusioned that change will happen that gender base violence will end. I was firm that being a woman is a curse.
My mind-set was changed when I encountered a feminist organization conducting an information campaign on violence against women. It was an activity to commemorate the international day for the elimination of violence against women. I became interested of the story of the three Mirabal sisters in the Dominican Republic who were brutally killed by the state soldiers because of their activism. They called them the ‘unforgettable butterflies’. Their story for me is inspiring despite the cause of their death. They were empowered women who were unwaveringly fought against a repressive system despite the discrimination against women which was at its height in 1960. The Mirabal sisters were indeed like butterflies because in the midst of a very difficult situation for women, they were valiant in their struggle for a political transformation. They became hope not only for the women in the Dominican Republic but elsewhere in the world.
All over the world, women’s movements are growing. They are organizing and campaigning for a just society for women where violence including domestic violence will end. I found my hope from the strength of the women’s organizations in my country and the world over. I believe that they are the butterflies who show to the world that change is possible. They give me hope that all survivors of violence will break their silence. I for one am joining the butterflies and I will start to be a beacon of hope for my mother. I believe that I can help in the transformative journey to a better world for women and children.
Works Cited
Harris, Elene. “Butterfly Spirit Animal and Totem.” How to Change Life, (2012). Web. 26 Nov. 2014.
Alter, Charlotte. “The Brutal Triple Murder behind the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.” Time, (25 Nov. 2014). Web. 26 Nov. 2014.
