You saw, you knew and you said nothing”.
For a long time, I chose silence — not because I was weak, but because I was trying to protect what remained of my dignity and peace. I remarried with hope. As a widow raising my children alone, I believed marriage meant partnership — building together, supporting one another, and creating a safe home for all our children.
But slowly, words became weapons. My children were called useless for going to school. I was humiliated in front of them. Verbal abuse became routine. Then, at times, it became physical.
Many heard, many saw, few spoke and still, I gave.
I cooked, I cleaned, I worked, I filled the fridge, I bought clothes, I paid hospital bills, I arranged appointments, I found transport, I paid for tests and medication, and I showed up in hospital corridors when strength was needed most. Those who now speak loudly were not there in those quiet moments of crisis.
Yet when death came, blame came with it.
And this is where “Give to Gain” must mean something deeper. Because when a woman gives her labour, her income, her care, her emotional strength — and receives abuse in return — we all lose. When communities give silence instead of protection, we lose justice. When families give loyalty to wrongdoing instead of support to survivors, we lose integrity. When we protect reputations instead of women, we lose our humanity.
Violence against women does not grow in isolation. It grows in silence. It grows when witnesses choose comfort over courage.
“Give to Gain” is not just about opportunity. It is about accountability. If we give women safety, we gain stronger families. If we give survivors belief, we gain justice. If we give courage instead of gossip, we gain truth. If we give protection inside homes, we gain peace in communities.
Empowerment is not a stage event once a year. It is daily protection. It is speaking when harm happens. It is refusing to rewrite history to shield abuse. To those who question a survivor’s place, inheritance, or intentions — reflect honestly:
When help was needed, what did you give? When harm was visible, what did you protect?
When strength was required, where did you stand?
I will not fight lies with lies. I will not answer gossip with bitterness. But I will no longer carry blame that does not belong to me. Because truth does not need noise to survive. It stands on its own.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, let us understand this:
Empowering women means more than celebration. It means protection. It means accountability. It means giving safety so we can gain justice. Giving respect so we can gain equality. Giving courage so we can gain change.
Communities grow stronger when women are safe, heard, and believed.
When we give women dignity, we gain a future free from violence.
- MERESEINI NAVILO is Nadroga District Women’s Network rep for FemLINK Pacific.
