On International’s Women Day, we celebrate the strength and resilience of women everywhere, including survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. This powerful poem by Indu Matiyani, a counselor at MSF's Umeed Ki Kiran clinic in Delhi, reminds us that being gentle doesn't equate to weakness. Every survivor has a constant tussle of thoughts in their mind, and this poem highlights their journey. Let's continue to support and empower each other on this important day and every day.

Umeed Ki Kiran is a community-based clinic providing free, confidential, and comprehensive medical and psychosocial care to survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).


Title – I am gentle but I am not weak

Sometimes in my mind I wonder, if this violence and pain didn’t exist, how would my life be then?

Perhaps my life would be better, maybe I could take better care of myself, maybe I could work outside, maybe with my husband’s help we could overcome some of life’s difficulties,

Perhaps our children could also achieve something in life.
Maybe I wouldn't spend every moment in fear, maybe my soul wouldn't shudder at the sound of my husband's name, perhaps I wouldn't have to pretend to be happy, maybe this joy would truly be my fate!
Perhaps I would also be able to dream of achieving something, maybe I could see my children do something good, perhaps all of this would be true, if only I could see it!
My life would be like a dream, if there were no pain and suffering that seem, no more beatings every day, no more fights, no more dismay.
But this dream is still far away, for I never had the courage to say, or find a path to make it real, to break free from this vicious ordeal.
I read somewhere, "where there's a will, there's a way," so I thought of facing the truth one day, of breaking free from this violence and pain, of giving myself a chance again.
When I decided to fight, no one could stop me, new paths emerged, new people helped me see,
People who showed me a new direction, And a ray of hope in my life's reflection.
Now my life seems a little easier, And the dream that I once had, now seems a little closer, I believe that I can make it come true, And turn my dreams into a reality that's new.
This poem is written by a counsellor working at Umeed Ki Kiran clinic, Indu Matyani. This poem is not related to any person but it has tried to depict the deep thoughts inside all those affected by sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
Umeed Ki Kiran Clinic
Since November 2015, MSF is providing integrated medical and psychological care to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) through a community-based clinic in Jahangirpuri, northwest Delhi. MSF provides survivor-centered, non-stigmatising and confidential SGBV care, 24/7 and free of charge, across all age groups and genders. Our model of care is based on international evidence, experience and learnings from the community.