“Justice exists!” she declares with her whole heart.
For women like Scovia, finding justice after sexual violence means pursuing dreams and establishing a new future.
"Justice exists!” declares Scovia, a young woman living in Uganda.
How does she know this? She’s experienced it for herself—both in the courtroom and in all of life.
After suffering sexual assault, public beating and having her baby stolen, she found IJM and started on the path to justice.
With IJM’s support and people like you by her side, she pursued legal justice, was reunited with her baby and found the strength to create a more just future for herself with a course in fashion, design and tailoring.
“IJM made me who I am today,” she reflects.
And who is that? A young woman who stands up for her own justice—and for others’ justice too.
“I want to be a better woman,” she reflects. Not just for herself, but for others too!
“I want to be a woman who stands for other women and girls. I want to share my story so that other women and girls know that for what they are going through, there is someone somewhere who can help them and make their voice heard.”
Now that she is making her voice heard, she also feels confident to pursue her dreams too.
“I want to assure everybody that Scovia that is talking today will be someone who will be financially independent, appear on TV one day, and travel the world showcasing my fashion and design items.”
It was this vision of empowerment and justice that travelled all the way from Scovia’s heart in Uganda to reach the hearts of entrepreneurs here in Canada. When they heard her story, they recognized the same spirit of determination that drives their own work.
And their response was extraordinary!
Together, they raised over $25,000—enough to help 90 women establish their own businesses. Along with generously donating their money, they’re also investing in empowerment for women.
The same kind of empowerment that justice made possible for Scovia.
The result? A growing circle of impact united by two beliefs:
1) That everyone deserves the chance to rebuild their life, support their family and contribute to their community.
2) That survivors everywhere deserve to hear and experience Scovia’s message for themselves: “If I could speak to someone who is still out there suffering, I would tell her that justice exists!”