I Stories

Over the years GL has demonstrated a commitment to gender justice and equality by efforts to create opportunities and provide spaces for survivors of all forms of gender violence to speak out, participate in various conversations and document their experiences through I-Stories.

My power taken away

I was married for 18 years. My first child was born in 1991 and the second one in 1995. I stayed with my in-laws from 1988 until 1998. I was […]

Treated bad because of my background

My name is Precious . I am 35 years old. In 1999 I started dating and I was clueless about dating, I was 18 years and I fell pregnant by […]

November 4, 2019 Themes: Economic violence | Gender based violence Programs: Gender & Governance

Living beyond HIV

My name is Racheal , and I am a widow. I had two children and they have both passed on, the first was 24 years when he passed, on the […]

November 1, 2019 Themes: Gender based violence | Sexual violence Programs: Gender & Governance

Needed my power back

My name is Mary* at the age of 6 years my mother left us because my father abused her. She was the second wife to my father who was a […]

November 1, 2019 Themes: Gender based violence Programs: Gender & Governance

My life, my journey. My tears, my strength. Life is exciting yet so cruel.

My name is Mrosa*. I was raised by a single mother together with my four brothers and a sister. My mother had to work hard for us and far away […]

Is emotional abuse not abuse

My Name is Kedibone* I got married to my husband in 1995 and in 1997 we had our first child this is when he started to abuse me.  He was […]

I continue to live in fear

My name is Nomsa. I stay Ga-Mashashane, Mohlonong. I was married in the Mabotja family from 2007. Things were fine between me and my husband until 2013. In 2013 he […]

In laws from hell

My name is Sarah* I was married at the age of 27 but I entered with Satan in my marriage. My sisters in law abused me and that lead my […]

That is the life I am leaving.

My name is Cecilia, I am the fourth child in a family of five. I had my child when I was 17 years. I started dating at a very young […]

I have been through it all.

My name is Mosima* I fell in love with a man hoping he is the one I will spend the rest of my life with. We have three beautiful children […]

South Africa: Raped by my own boyfriend

South Africa: Raped by my own boyfriend

*Trigger warning: Violence*
I once had a good loving family, a mother, step dad and a grandfather. I never knew my real father, I never had a father figure till I was 13 that when I was introduced to my step dad and his family. This family camp in 2010 when my mom and step dad got married, I then moved in with them because I had a baby and my aunt and uncle kicked me out so they took me in. We were a happy small family, and then I met my boyfriend Phaphani, who was older than me.

June 1, 2015 Themes: Gender based violence