Sisters in Law

Last night, I went to the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis for the screening of Sisters in Law, a film by Kim Longinotto and Florence Ayisi that screened as part of the Women With Vision Film Festival.

This documentary takes place in Kumba, Cameroon, where there have been no convictions in spousal abuse cases for 17 years. It shows the tough-minded state prosecutor Vera Ngassa and Court President Beatrice Ntuba start to change things for the better. A 10-year old girl accuses a man of rape, a 6-year old child is rescued from abuse, and women are freed from brutal marriages in a society where divorce is taboo. I agree with the Sydney Film Festival that said, "You'll feel like cheering when justice is served."

Nyango Melissa Naubangi, Executive Director of the Minnesota African Women’s Association and sister of Beatrice honored us with a post-screening discussion.