African Women's Day: spotlight on two inspiring members of the Brave Movement Africa

In light of African Women’s Day, we are spotlighting two members of the Brave Movement Africa platform, Dr. Bukola Ogunkua and Lorraine Ong’injo, to highlight the unique challenges and triumphs of African Women and the vital role they play in breaking the silence, advocating for justice, and building a future free from violence and abuse for all children. 

This day is celebrated annually on July 31st to recognize and celebrate the achievements, contributions, and resilience of African Women. The day is meant to serve as a platform to highlight women’s vital role in different spheres of life, from politics and education to health and socio-economic development. 

Echoes of Strength: Surviving and Thriving

By: Lorraine Ong’injo

Significant challenges and profound growth have marked my journey through healing from childhood sexual violence. The emotional and psychological impact left deep scars, leading to feelings of worthlessness and self-blame. Social stigma, isolation, and lack of immediate resources for survivors compounded my struggles, making it difficult for me to seek help.

Despite these challenges, I found a path to healing. Joining a local support group provided a safe space for sharing and solidarity. Professional therapy and counseling were crucial in confronting my trauma, developing coping mechanisms, and rebuilding my self-esteem. Advocacy and empowerment became a significant part of my journey, giving me purpose and strength. By sharing my story and working with Brave Africa, I found strength in helping others and creating safer environments for children. Embracing cultural practices that promote healing, such as education to suppress child marriages and art therapy, also played a significant role in my recovery.

My story highlights the importance of support, professional help, advocacy, and cultural practices in healing from trauma. My dedication to helping others and creating positive change is a testament to the resilience and strength that can emerge from even the darkest experiences.

Today, I am a proud member of the Brave Movement Africa and co-chair of the Brave Movement Kenya platform. With the support of our founding members, I have played a crucial role in establishing a platform for survivors of sexual violence. At least 25 organizations have come together to support survivors, providing them with resources, counseling, and a community of understanding and support.

I also convened the survivors of sexual violence network under the Wangu Kanja Foundation in Nairobi and founded the ReBuilding Community Organization. This community-based organization champions the right to education to suppress child marriages, addressing harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation and child marriages. I use my voice to raise awareness about childhood sexual violence and advocate for stronger protections for children. My journey has not been easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding. I have seen firsthand the impact that sharing our stories can have on others, inspiring hope and encouraging others to speak out.

Some of the ways that I take action include public speaking and awareness campaigns, through which I share my story and raise awareness about childhood sexual violence at numerous events. I also conduct policy advocacy work by engaging institutions in implementing the Child Protection Policy (CPP), and facilitating support groups, which are safe spaces for survivors to share their experiences, find their voice, and gain confidence. Finally, I organize and conduct workshops for educators, parents, and community leaders on recognizing and preventing childhood sexual violence.

My work has empowered countless survivors to speak out and seek help, raised awareness about childhood sexual violence within and beyond the community, brought stronger legal protections for children, and increased accountability for perpetrators through policy changes. I have fostered a supportive community through the Brave Movement, creating a network of survivors and allies. I have also contributed to cultural shifts by promoting healing practices and encouraging open dialogues about childhood sexual violence.

In the future, I plan to expand the Brave Movement Kenya and envision our organization will grow to support even more survivors across Kenya and beyond. As part of these efforts, it is essential to establish more local chapters and resources to provide comprehensive support. I aspire to enhance support services to survivors through counseling, legal assistance, and educational programs. I also aim to push for localizing policies to the grassroots, promote better enforcement of existing laws, and consistently encourage prevention through online and offline advocacy and online safety. Furthermore, I plan to train on digital security and promote intercultural bonding through exchanges. On a personal level, I aspire to continue growing and learning, pursuing further education and training in trauma, counseling, and advocacy to help contribute effectively.

My journey as an advocate against childhood sexual violence is far from over. I am committed to making a lasting impact with these goals and aspirations. By expanding our reach, enhancing support services, and continuing to raise awareness, I believe we can create a world where every child is safe, and every survivor is heard and supported.

Childhood sexual violence is a pervasive issue that affects countless children globally. As survivors and advocates, we have the power to create change, but we cannot do it alone. We need your help to make a lasting impact. Join the Brave Movement today.

To anyone reading this who has experienced similar pain, know you are not alone. There is hope and healing beyond the darkness. Reach out for support, whether it’s through therapy, friends, or support groups. Your voice matters; your story can help others find their way to the light. Together, we can break the silence and create a world where no one has to suffer in silence.

Brave Movement: Chasing Solutions for Childhood Adversities

By: Dr. Bukola Ogunkua MD, MPH, MHS, LPC, CCTP, CPRP, FAAETS

Even though I have excelled in practically all endeavors that I set out to do and have succeeded in new learning, I continued to have flashbacks of certain events from my childhood and a wave of residual anger about certain things, especially when stressed.

My name is Dr. Bukola Ogunkua (Dr. B). I am a Public Health physician, population health researcher, licensed counseling psychologist, and child trauma expert. I was introduced to Trauma theory in 2001 at an outpatient clinic for men. The concept of recovery and the aspect of helping men develop the vocabulary for the emotional and relational issues stemming from child abuse and neglect felt familiar, and I could relate to the men’s problems, too. Some of the adversities they reluctantly described were familiar. I often wondered about the men’s discussions and focused on what occurred to them as children and teens. I was curious to ask them more, but instinctively, I knew it was too painful to probe them. So, I waited for them to talk when they felt like sharing their experiences in group sessions or while smoking outside. It was a safe space, and they were not feeling alone in their struggles anymore, even if it was for a moment.

Later, I stumbled across the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study while seeking solutions for why children and youths with challenging behaviors kept returning to old behaviors after treatment. At first, I thought the ACE test was initially confusing for me because the questions were not quite applicable to me, but I completed the test anyway. My score later made clearer the logical sequence of behavioral progression I had, which helped me understand the trauma concept better. I can now see the protective factors that steered me towards academic excellence despite my high ACEs. I now understand why I have flashbacks when I am under stress.

My curiosity for solutions and understanding the ACE score led me to a second master’s thesis in Human Services Counseling in 2007. My only goal was to seek a solution to ACEs in children. I wanted to know the scope, causes, contributory factors, and treatments. What my research study uncovered as a significant factor in 2009 was the lack of knowledge and awareness of ACES by the people who were serving the children and the inadvertent re-traumatization of the youths by the same people hired to help them.

I have since developed trauma-informed curricula for all adults who encounter children in their line of work. I continue to learn and internalize the solutions others have tried and in this quest for knowledge, I have become a better me. I have moved from an authoritarian parent to an authoritative parent of three adult children, with a second chance of helping to shape the development of my four grandchildren and all other children I meet. All the above is what led to seeking change agents and I hope you will join me in sharing your experiences and practices of triumph over adversity.

Thank you for joining us on African Women’s Day and reading about the personal stories, achievements, challenges and aspirations of two of the inspiring members in Brave Africa. Stay tuned for updates from Brave Africa by following them on social media.