Two characters, a mother and her daughter, recount their experiences against a backdrop of conflict, and the traumas this generates. They confront their pain and question their society, as well as other societies, which have or are currently experiencing conflict. All too often, women are “easy prey” whose voices are rarely heard as they are deprived of basic rights and are taught the culture of silence and forgiveness.

Cousu-main is a text which proclaims that silence and fear should not be an option for any woman, and that fear and shame need to change sides. Jeanne Diama spent two months on a writing residency in the autumn of 2021 with Nova Villa.