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Why a sex strike is Togolese women's best weapon against dictatorship Why a sex strike is Togolese women's best weapon against dictatorship
(35 minutes later)
Togo is a republic only by name. It has been ruled with an iron fist by the Gnassingbé family since 1963 following the assassination of Sylvanus Olympio, the father of Togo's independence. The regime has been supported by the army ever since and in violation of constitutional provisions, Faure Gnassingbé was installed in power by army generals after his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, died in February 2005 after 38 years in power. That year, a fraudulent electoral process roughly legalised the coup. Protests were suppressed by massacres. Togo is a republic only by name. It has been ruled with an iron fist by the Gnassingbé family since 1963 following the assassination of Sylvanus Olympio, the father of Togo's independence. The regime has been supported by the army ever since and in violation of constitutional provisions, Faure Gnassingbé was installed in power by army generals after his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, died in February 2005 after 38 years in power. That year, a fraudulent electoral process "legalised" the coup. Protests were suppressed by massacres.
To this day, the dictatorial regime remains in place through rigged elections. Our human rights situation is disastrous, torture is widespread, the press is on probation, endemic corruption plagues our economy, and the vast majority of the population is languishing in a growing misery. But with the approach of parliamentary elections next October, the government's delaying tactics to evade pro-democratic reforms have exacerbated a protest movement countrywide. This time, we have decided to say no Gnassingbé, who will undoubtedly once again try to hold on to his seats by spreading terror.To this day, the dictatorial regime remains in place through rigged elections. Our human rights situation is disastrous, torture is widespread, the press is on probation, endemic corruption plagues our economy, and the vast majority of the population is languishing in a growing misery. But with the approach of parliamentary elections next October, the government's delaying tactics to evade pro-democratic reforms have exacerbated a protest movement countrywide. This time, we have decided to say no Gnassingbé, who will undoubtedly once again try to hold on to his seats by spreading terror.
This is why Let's Save Togo's women's collective have called for the women of Togo to go on a week-long sex strike in order to press for Gnassingbe's resignation. Self-respect and dignity are values ​​that characterise Togolese women, who were very active in the struggle for independence. And yet those same values are now being trampled by the political masters of Togo, who see vocal women as threats who can be abused at will. To go on a "sex strike" is therefore a way to freely vote against dictatorship, in the secrecy of one's bedroom.This is why Let's Save Togo's women's collective have called for the women of Togo to go on a week-long sex strike in order to press for Gnassingbe's resignation. Self-respect and dignity are values ​​that characterise Togolese women, who were very active in the struggle for independence. And yet those same values are now being trampled by the political masters of Togo, who see vocal women as threats who can be abused at will. To go on a "sex strike" is therefore a way to freely vote against dictatorship, in the secrecy of one's bedroom.
Why a specifically feminine action in response to an issue that affects us all? Because Togolese women are more affected by poverty. They must keep the pot boiling, feed their husband and children who, in disadvantaged communities, remain dependent on them for a long time – especially as unemployment is rampant and the price of food staples is soaring. What are our demands? We asked for the release of those who have been arbitrarily arrested and held in appalling conditions in overcrowded prisons following peaceful demonstrations organised by our Collective. We also want to awaken the national and international community to our plight – too often, they pretend not to see Togo's inexorable descent into hell. And since negotiations are impossible at this point, we demand Gnassingbé's departure.Why a specifically feminine action in response to an issue that affects us all? Because Togolese women are more affected by poverty. They must keep the pot boiling, feed their husband and children who, in disadvantaged communities, remain dependent on them for a long time – especially as unemployment is rampant and the price of food staples is soaring. What are our demands? We asked for the release of those who have been arbitrarily arrested and held in appalling conditions in overcrowded prisons following peaceful demonstrations organised by our Collective. We also want to awaken the national and international community to our plight – too often, they pretend not to see Togo's inexorable descent into hell. And since negotiations are impossible at this point, we demand Gnassingbé's departure.
How will a sex strike help? We have chosen this weapon after exhausting all imaginable peaceful remedies. The Collective has consistently hit a wall and a regime that did not let go. We called for abstinence after having called for fasting and prayer because it was clear that our mobilisation was soon to take a decisive turn. And at this stage, we can modestly give thanks to God, for divine providence is already at work. Last week men of goodwill, including clergymen, woke up and assured us that they would get involved to search for a solution to the current political crisis. Their involvement led to the release of all those arrested.How will a sex strike help? We have chosen this weapon after exhausting all imaginable peaceful remedies. The Collective has consistently hit a wall and a regime that did not let go. We called for abstinence after having called for fasting and prayer because it was clear that our mobilisation was soon to take a decisive turn. And at this stage, we can modestly give thanks to God, for divine providence is already at work. Last week men of goodwill, including clergymen, woke up and assured us that they would get involved to search for a solution to the current political crisis. Their involvement led to the release of all those arrested.
While it is true that a "week of abstinence, fasting and prayer" would not have had the same media impact as our sex strike, the worldwide echo that the initiative sparked was totally unexpected. Suddenly, all newspapers from Greenland to Australia, Japan and Senegal, wanted to know about Togo's plight: it must have been bad, they wondered, for women to be driven to that extreme. Believe us, this time, nobody mistook Togo for Congo.While it is true that a "week of abstinence, fasting and prayer" would not have had the same media impact as our sex strike, the worldwide echo that the initiative sparked was totally unexpected. Suddenly, all newspapers from Greenland to Australia, Japan and Senegal, wanted to know about Togo's plight: it must have been bad, they wondered, for women to be driven to that extreme. Believe us, this time, nobody mistook Togo for Congo.
In the last few days, journalists have done a fantastic job in showing the Togolese that they are not alone. We hope it has not escaped anyone that the situation on the ground is very serious, and that it will be increasingly difficult to channel all these civilians whose dignity is currently being violated, and who increasingly have nothing to lose. In the last few days, journalists have done a fantastic job in showing the Togolese that they are not alone. We hope it has not escaped anyone that the situation on the ground is very serious, and that it will be increasingly difficult to contain all these civilians whose dignity is currently being violated, and who increasingly have nothing to lose.
• This article was translated from French by Jessica Reed• This article was translated from French by Jessica Reed