Fatima Askira: “After fear comes hope”

In 2013, northeastern Nigeria was hit by an upsurge in violence from the Islamist movement Boko Haram. Fatima, with her biology degree in hand, decided to help the displaced and victims of this extremely violent conflict. With bags full of clothes and basic necessities, this young woman decided to act, alone, in the face of the horrors perpetrated in her country. Fatima talks to us about her journey and her choice to stay with her family, despite the danger.

For over ten years, the conflict has pitted the Nigerian army against the armed groups. How did you get caught up in this violence?  

I was born and raised in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, which has become the epicenter of the conflict between the Nigerian army and the insurgents since 2009. My whole childhood and university years were spent in Borno. It was a time when I didn't have to worry, even if insecurity was slowly creeping in. An explosion here, an explosion there... We saw the conflict on television or on the Internet, but we felt less concerned behind the city walls, which were well protected. Nevertheless, everything changed overnight when we saw thousands of displaced people in the streets of Maiduguri. They were leaving their villages, which had been reduced to rubble by the insurgents. My own journey began that day, when this conflict entered our lives. 

At the time, there were no formal camps for these people. People found shelter in schools. After hearing various reports and rumors, I decided to go and see for myself. I met many women and children, some of whom had kept only a few items they had hastily packed away, and I rushed home to collect clothes and share this information with the neighborhood. What was I doing then? I've no idea. People probably didn't take me seriously. For me, social networks became a space for expression, where I shared information in real time from the field. For others, it was a way of understanding what was happening in Borno and how the fighting and attacks were affecting civilians. It was at this point that I heard, for the first time, women telling stories of rape perpetrated by insurgents or by members of their own families.

The impact of conflict on women is terrifying. Is it possible to heal invisible wounds? 

Women told me about their traumatic experiences and rapes, in private, but never dared lodge a complaint for fear of the matter being made public. The taboo surrounding these acts is very strong in the communities, leaving the women helpless in the face of their traumas. More than 30 camps for displaced persons have been set up, bringing together thousands of people from different communities, and new cases of rape have begun to be reported.

In Nigeria, gender-based violence is stigmatized, which is why cases of rape and sexual violence are under-reported. Women and girls hide this information, as it concerns the image of survivors within the community. We document and report to the police. We speak not only to the women, but also to their parents and family members, to explain the importance of punishing the perpetrator. In a rape situation, it's not just a case of men from outside raping women in the bush, but also of children being raped by uncles or relatives at home. It's a very difficult subject, but we manage to find common ground.

At the time, cases of kidnapping, murder and violence were occurring with increasing frequency in Borno. How did you manage to help without giving in to fear? 

Even though I had never thought of leaving the region, we went through difficult times and lived in fear. Boko Haram was launching attacks, massacring people and kidnapping others. There were cases of abduction of children, girls and boys, from schools in Borno and Yobe. Many girls were rescued, the fate of others is still unknown, and there were cases of children being used in suicide attacks. We all felt in danger. 

At some point, many people left. There was no telephone network, no electricity, so people survived as best they could. Many villages were cut off from the rest of the state, with no possibility of communication. Yes, we were all scared, but after fear comes faith and hope. Gradually, the situation improved. Today, we can go into these communities to provide vital aid.

What does the future hold for women in Nigeria? 

Nigerian society is very conservative. It dictates how women should behave in public, what they can and cannot do. Why does she travel alone? Why isn't she married? It's like everyone's waiting for you to fail! I continued to work tirelessly, without worrying too much about other people's opinions. I'm part of that generation that dared to break barriers, without perhaps realizing it. 

Ten years later, we're still here. We continue to load our vehicles, start our engines and head for remote villages, knowing the risks that the road represents. It's great if my activity inspires others. But young people must continue to pursue their dreams without asking too many questions. 

Interviewed by Maryna Shcherbyna