So, after years of being pretty much anti-exercise, I'm now running a 10k. For someone who dislikes taking part in pretty much any form of organised sporting activity, this is a very big step. Some might even say monumental. I would, because I know me.
Anyway, the reason I'm doing this is because I want to actually do something active for a very good cause. And this is most definitely a very good cause.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) presents one of the world's deadliest emergencies to date. More than 5.4 million people have died since 1998. This conflict has particularly affected women and girls as they are systematically raped as a combat strategy to terrorise and humiliate.
Tens-of-thousands of women and girls have experienced sexual violence - some raped whilst on the way to school, others while fetching water, and many are kept as sex slaves for soldiers. The situation is so extreme that Margot Wallström, the UN’s special representative on sexual violence in conflict, has recently called DR Congo the “rape capital of the world.”
Women for Women International has been working in Congo since 2003 helping women survivors of war. We offer skills training, trauma counselling, microcredit loans. Our programmes make a huge difference in helping women earn an income, support their families, and help rebuild their societies. Indeed, women who have participated in WfWI programmes on average earn 50 percent more than women who have not and are three times as likely to vote and participate in community activities.
Now, I can't even begin to imagine having to live with the threat of sexual violence hanging over my head every day, and no one should have to. I hope you'll agree that this is a cause worth supporting.
If you do, I would be incredibly grateful of any donation you could spare. It will all go to helping to make a significant difference to the lives of women in DCR.
And as an offer of further incentive, you can take pleasure in knowing I am currently running in all manner of adverse weather conditions, looking like an idiot.
