I firmly believe today that the only way to stop violence against women is to speak out and refused to be silenced.

I dont want to be someone in my sixties holding on to a group that I created when I was in my twenties.

Changes don't happen in the world by playing it safe, taking risks is the way to change the world.

Only 1 in 13 participants in peace negotiations since 1992 has been a woman.

Since a very young age, my mother made sure to tell me about the plight of women... As she raised my awareness about women's issues, she also made sure to ingrain in me the importance of being strong and independent and not to let anybody define me by their images of what women should be.

Being a leader for me is about having the courage to speak the truth, and live the truth, despite attempts to silence our thoughts, feelings, and past experiences.

Where has change ever been clean and nice? It has always been messy and painful.