We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
Nelson MandelaRead
For every woman and girl violently attacked, we reduce our humanity. For every woman forced into unprotected sex because men demand this, we destroy dignity and pride. Every woman who has to sell her life for sex we condemn to a lifetime in prison. For every moment we remain silent, we conspire against our women. For every woman infected by HIV, we destroy a generation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the collective responsibility to fight against violence and injustice towards women.
Nelson Mandela's quote highlights the profound moral implications of violence against women, suggesting that such acts not only harm individuals but also erode our humanity as a society. He calls attention to the systemic issues of forced sexuality, exploitation, and silence, asserting that every act of violence diminishes our collective dignity and pride, while inaction contributes to the ongoing oppression of women and the loss of future generations.
Themes
ViolenceWomenDignitySexHumanityJusticeSilenceResponsibility
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on women's rights, this quote can inspire action against gender-based violence.
More from Nelson Mandela
All quotes →What freedom am I being offered while the organization of the people remains banned? Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.
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The past is a rich resource on which we can draw in order to make decisions for the future, but it does not dictate our choices. We should look back at the past and select what is good, and leave behind what is bad.
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We signal that good can be achieved amongst human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared to believe in the goodness of people.
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After one has been in prison, it is the small things that one appreciates: being able to take a walk whenever one wants, going into a shop and buying a newspaper, speaking or choosing to remain silent. The simple act of being able to control one's person.
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I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses.
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