Her Voice, Her Choice
A poem by Elisha Mainga, an alumna of Cohort 7 of the Advanced Short Course on Advocacy for Reproductive Justice.
They call her womb the foundation of the land,
But they fence off her choices and set limits.
They say, “Mother Africa, Rise up and be proud,”
Yet they silence her voice when she try to speak out loud.
Is justice a threat when she tries to rise?
Or a just a more truth in eyes?
Policies written in foreign lands
That dictate her rights while tightening her hands.
Aid comes with clauses, and strings attached
With hurtful gifts, a plan lopsided one law grants, another revokes,
And freedom is crushed by the policy spokes.
They whisper that “norms must remain the same,”
But justice burns in a brighter flame.
To build a world where everyone is free.
Where choice is held by you and me
No more dying from being care denied,
No more fear and shame to hide.
Yet treaties change, and the deals are made,
Power is bargained for, and lives are weighed.
Who decide who should thrive?
Will the law oppress her or keep her alive?
The battle is on, but one thing is clear.
Justice must stay right here