The story of Aminata Conteh-Biger’s Rising Heart
Posted on
Aminata Conteh-Biger has experienced some of the most extreme atrocities imaginable to any human being.
And yet her story is one of dignity, positivity, and empowerment for women.
Kidnapped from the hands of her father in Freetown, Sierra Leone in 1999 at the age of 18, Aminata was held captive for several months by rebel forces, repeatedly raped and beaten and witness to countless countrymen and women slaughtered during the bloody civil war.
Photo credit Sarah Fountain
Aminata was finally freed as part of a negotiated prisoner exchange where rebel-held child captives were released in return for food and medicine.
She became one of the first women from Sierra Leone to be granted asylum in Australia in 2000 and during that time she has pieced back her life and spirit.
Rather than be imprisoned by shame and bound by trauma, Aminata has sought to share her story of purpose, writing a book and memoir titled ‘Rising Heart’ published by Pan MacMillan. She has also established a maternal health charity, The Aminata Maternal Foundation, back in Sierra Leone to help more young women survive childbirth.
Aminata experienced severe complications of birth with her own child and knew she would not have survived had she not had access to high-quality healthcare in Australia.
Sierra Leone has among the highest maternal mortality rates across the globe and The Aminata Foundation strives to raise funds to provide a safe and affordable healthcare service so mothers and babies can receive pre-and post-natal care and a safe and supervised delivery.
Photo credit Sarah Fountain
In 2016, Aminata returned to Sierra Leone with SBS Television’s Dateline to film the award-winning documentary ‘Daughter of Sierra Leone’ to expand on her work.
Aminata will address the National Press Club of Australia on Wednesday 25 May for a Women in Media speech entitled ‘Restoring Dignity to Humanity, One Woman’s Ultimate Purpose’.
She said the invitation to address the nation was one she never envisaged. “But it humbles me and allows me to continue to dream big for a future that is of hope and courage that will hopefully lead to change for a better and brighter tomorrow for all.”
Aminata was also invited to address the March 4 Justice in Canberra last year and said her voice was important.
“I believe that my voice is not only important but it is necessary to the national debate about women. I am a black African Australian woman, I am Aminata. I grew up in a blended family in Sierra Leone, raised by a devoted father but without a present mother. I never gave up on learning despite being dyslexic. I am a former refugee and a victim of abduction and sexual violence. I am now a wife, mother, author, and CEO. If it feels impossible, I am here to tell you that nothing is impossible.”
Aminata Conteh-Biger will address The National Press Club on Wednesday 25 May at 12 pm. Tickets are available here.
