To All Survivors,
Today, we gather our words to honor you, though no combination of phrases could truly capture the depth of our respect, nor could they convey the enormity of the journey you have undertaken. Yet, I write this dedication in the hope that you feel seen, cherished, and celebrated for the incredible strength you have shown.
You have faced unimaginable pain, endured moments of unthinkable darkness, and weathered storms that sought to silence your voice and break your spirit. And yet, here you are—living, breathing, standing taller than those who tried to diminish you. Your courage goes beyond mere survival. It is a testament to your resilience and your unwavering commitment to healing, even when the road forward seemed insurmountable.
Your story is not just one of suffering, but of reclaiming your power. It is a story of refusing to be defined by what happened to you and of rediscovering your light in a world that sometimes refuses to acknowledge your pain. By continuing to take one step at a time, even when it feels like the ground is slipping away, you are teaching all of us what true bravery looks like.
To the world, you may be called a survivor, but to me, to us, you are so much more. You are a warrior who has defied the odds, a changemaker whose strength demands that society listen and change. You have faced battles that no one should ever have to fight, and in the process, you have shown the world that breaking is not the same as being broken. You are whole, you are worthy, and your voice matters.
I am in awe of the way you have found healing in your own time and your own way. Your journey has undoubtedly been filled with moments of anger, sadness, and exhaustion. But even in your quietest moments, when the world feels too heavy and recovery feels distant, you are worthy of the deepest compassion. Even on the days when it feels like nothing has changed, you continue to inspire those around you, and you have ignited change in ways that will ripple forward for generations.
I am, we are committed to standing with you, not just today, but every day. We are dedicated to amplifying your voice and the voices of all survivors, working tirelessly to dismantle the systems that allow violence to persist. Your story fuels our mission to advocate for a world that is safer, more compassionate, and more just for women and girls everywhere. A world where your experiences are not just stories of survival but reminders that we must do better.
You have a right to be heard, to be believed, to be protected. And you have a right to live a life free of violence and fear. For too long, society has tried to hide the stories of women like you, but today and every day, we lift them up with honor and unwavering respect. We see you not just for the wounds inflicted but for the beauty you have created in spite of them.
With this dedication, we pledge never to look away, never to forget, and never to rest until every woman and girl is safe, until every survivor feels loved and supported. We stand beside you, committed to creating spaces where healing is possible, where justice is a certainty, and where love and dignity triumph over all.
With immense love, gratitude, and unwavering support
DIANE VISSOH (France) is the Diplomacy Analyst at Every Woman Treaty. Her professional journey began as a Parliamentary Assistant to Senators on the Foreign Affairs Committee in France, where she managed international political and diplomatic issues, developed policy strategies, prepared reports, and assisted in legislative processes. She gained extensive experience through internships in diplomacy at the Permanent Mission of Senegal to the United Nations in New York, the Permanent Representation of ECOWAS in Abidjan, the Permanent Representation of the International Organization of La Francophonie to the United Nations in Geneva, and again at the Permanent Mission of Senegal to the United Nations in New York. Diane holds a Bachelor’s in European and International Studies from the University of Saint Quentin-en-Yvelines (France) and two Master’s degrees in International Relations, Security, and Defense, and Diplomacy and Strategic Negotiations from the American University of Diplomacy in Paris and Paris Saclay.
