Response of Family Archives

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.

“As I reached the other side of the river, it started raining and the God-sent water washed away all the dirt that was on my body.”

I am 25 years old and I have three daughters who are under seven years old. My life has always been full of difficulties. I did not know my father […]

August 24, 2023 Themes: Gender based violence | Intimate partner violence | Young Women Programs: Gender based violence

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 […]

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

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

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 […]

November 1, 2019 Themes: Economic violence | Gender based violence Programs: Gender & Governance | Gender justice and local government summit

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 […]

November 1, 2019 Themes: Economic violence | Gender based violence Programs: Economic Justice | Entrepreneurship | Gender justice and local government summit | Gender Violence

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 […]

November 1, 2019 Themes: Economic violence | Gender based violence Programs: Gender Justice | Gender justice and local government summit | The Gender Based Violence Indicators Project

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: God fearing parents

I am the eldest of three children that were raised by a God-fearing single parent. My entire childhood I felt that I was both coming and going.

November 13, 2015 Programs: Entrepreneurship | Gender Justice

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