Aras visit was 'amazing experience' for former direct provision resident and gender-based violence activist
A MORNINGTON woman joined President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtarain last week for a ‘HeforShe’ event.
Mpho Mokotso, a former direct provision resident and gender-based violence activist said it was an amazing experience.
The ‘HeforShe’ campaign is aimed at actively engaging men in gender equality issues nationally and globally.
President Higgins is a global ambassador for the campaign.
“It was a great honour for me to be invited to the Áras an Uachtaráin. It will remain an experience of a lifetime. I enjoyed every minute of being there, from a grand tour of the Presidential House, walking around the breathtaking gardens, delectable food and spectacular live music performances that had everybody dancing. Every person looked beautiful and happy," she said.
Mpho is a member of the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI).
She has just completed an MA in Refugee Integration at Dublin City University.
She was already qualified in Town and Regional Planning which she studied in her home country of Lesotho and also has qualifications in Property Management as well as Leadership and Community Development.
In Lesotho she worked as a planner in urban and rural development and as a lecturer at institutions of higher learning in Lesotho.
Mpho, who experienced gender based violence in Lesotho, spent almost two years in direct provision in Mosney and prior to that spent time in direct provision in a Dublin hotel.
“It was not a nice situation to be in. We could not make any choices for ourselves , there are so many rules and a lack of privacy. Especially in the hotel we couldn't even chose what we could eat.
Speaking about her trip to the Áras, Mpho says; “The people I had the privilege of chatting with were just as excited as I was. “
At the event, President Higgins called on people around the world to stand together to undertake the challenge of engaging men and boys to promote gender equality, and to combat gender-based violence (GBV).
Mpho said she made a number of connections with people from different backgrounds who share the same goal of creating a world free of gender-based violence.
“I hope the connections will lead to meaningful collaborations in the near future because every time people unite for a common purpose, it is a move towards achieving it.
“My colleague Cynthia Dee Lebuli was also an invited guest and we got to shed light on the plight of people seeking international protection in Ireland, talk about GBV and the importance of ending Direct Provision because it is also another violation of human rights".
She said the HeforShe Campaign puts men as key players in influencing change.
“It is important to see men taking a lead in this fight because like President Michael D Higgins, men must stand in solidarity with women if women’s rights are to be fully achieved.
“All the speakers gave insightful messages and having this kind of conversation is what will bring about change not only in this beautiful Island and across the world.
“As a refugee and a black woman in Ireland who is a survivor of gender based violence, I always notice the presence of men around me and become cautious of their words and actions.
“Being in a space where men have the same ideology on issues of gender equality and GBV is liberating.
“I was raised in a patriarchal society. I recall being taught from a tender age how to be a good girl, behave, treat and serve my brothers or any of my male counterparts.
“I cannot recall being present when my brothers were taught how to be good boys or treat me or girls in general. Instead, I remember that they were told to protect me.
A fundamental question is why do women/girls need protection? It is important to recreate spaces where we do not need to be protected. I know for sure that I do not need to be protected. Instead I need to be free and not to worry about my safety or that of my daughter.
“I would like to believe that it is a wish of every human being whether male or female to be free, safe and to be treated with respect at all times.
“It is for this reason that I thank President Michael D Higgins and his lovely wife Sabina Higgins for spearheading this campaign, creating spaces for dialogue and bringing diverse groups to the table.