Book choice by April MISSives guest editor, Zahra Al Hilaly
From the blurb:
“Amani Haydar suffered the unimaginable when she lost her mother in a brutal act of domestic violence perpetrated by her father. Five months pregnant at the time, her own perception of how she wanted to mother (and how she had been mothered) was shaped by this devastating murder.
After her mother’s death, Amani began reassessing everything she knew of her parents’ relationship. They had been unhappy for so long – should she have known that it would end like this? A lawyer by profession, she also saw the holes in the justice system for addressing and combating emotional abuse and coercive control.
With the themes of toxic masculinity and domestic abuse, Amani’s words inevitably explore the concealed reality that many women face. This book exudes strength, whilst simultaneously highlighting the devastating trauma that too often, never leaves survivors and witnesses of domestic abuse.”
To me, Amani’s words encapsulate that beacon of hope that strips away cultural biases that limit our voices from highlighting the systemic issues attached to domestic violence, that disproportionately affect women of colour.
The intersectionality of religion, race, gender and migration as discussed in The Mother Wound implores readers to adopt an intersectional perspective in supporting victims of domestic violence. Amani’s consistent advocacy extends beyond this book. If you have followed her on social media, you will find that her commitment towards influencing reform is beyond inspiring and extraordinary. She is the hope Australia needs.
