‘Speaking out can set you free’

Survivors of gender-based violence spoke out against women abuse at a recent book launch of the South African “I” Story experience – Speaking out can set you free. The launch brought together more than 80 women and men at Parktonian Hotel, Johannesburg, on 26 November.

The book is an analysis of women’s first-hand accounts of gender-based violence that GL has collected and published in booklets and in media over the years. Survivors of gender violence spoke at the event about their experiences writing their personal story and seeing it published in a book.

Many of these stories reflect the complex nature of gender violence and how it relates to poverty, inequality, lack of access to education and resources. The stories also highlight the crucial link between HIV and gender violence. Although the stories are sad and often shocking, they also inspire hope. The overwhelming sentiment throughout each of the stories is the need to speak out. Read more about the ‘I’ stories project here.