Iraq

One Million Thumbprints: Women Reaching New Heights for Victims of Sexual Assault in War-Torn Countries

A group of women are binding together after incomprehensible violence: Sexual assault in the name of war.

More than a dozen women were on their way Sunday to leave their mark in a way they never imagined. This group began connecting over a year ago as each one made a vow to attack those who attack women.

Kim Yim said there's something spiritual about climbing to the top of a mountain and offering prayers.

In this case, the trip to the top will take place on Mount Kilimanjaro.

"It's doing something hard and really big in hopes that in some ways it is aligning ourselves with the suffering of the women we're advocating for," Yim, of One Million Thumbprints, said. "In many cases, rape is cheaper than using a bullet so it's a strategy of war. It's a way of undermining a whole community, coming in and systematically raping women and girls."

This Orange County mother connected with the story of Esperance: A woman from Congo who was attacked and left for dead. She became the inspiration for this campaign. Esperance asked for help.

But she cannot read or write.

"It was a blank piece of paper and she had stamped her thumbprint," Belinda Bauman said.

Underneath her thumbprint, she had someone else write: "Please tell my story to the world."

The campaign is called One Million Thumbprints because of Esperance. The goal is to carry those personal marks to one of the world's highest peaks in a show of solidarity. They hope to raise money for programs to bring peace to war-torn nations like Iraq and Sudan.

"For all of us, we all have our mark our identity," Yim said. "We are saying: 'We are human. This is what makes us human, our individual mark.'"

More than a dozen women will journey in March speak to the United Nations. They say they will be attempting to hold global leaders accountable to regulations they've already passed protecting women and children in war.

The grass roots campaign is spreading. Sex assault survivors from India made bracelets to be given away by the women when they stop in Congo on the way to Africa.

The campaign has connected with donors from bake sales to medical offices.

Each of the climbers set to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro has a collection of thumbprints to take to the top.
They say they hope to leave their mark on the world. 

To learn more about One Million Thumbprints, visit their site.

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