The Emthonjeni Women’s Forum (EWF) has unveiled Her Stories, a booklet chronicling the experiences of gender-based violence (GBV) survivors, alongside a documentary and research report.
The launch, held on Friday in Bulawayo, was part of the Forum’s 16 Days of Activism against GBV commemorations under the theme, “Towards Beijing+30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”
EWF Director Sikhathele Matambo said the organisation has been documenting the stories of GBV survivors over the past four years.
“These are harrowing stories told by survivors of GBV. For us, a victim ceases to be a victim the moment they take action, such as sharing their story—they become a survivor. The violence could be physical, emotional, verbal, economic, or sexual. We decided to compile these stories in Her Stories for people to read and understand the realities survivors face,” she said.
To protect survivors’ identities, pseudonyms were used, and consent was obtained before publication.
Matambo also underscored the critical role of counselling in helping survivors rebuild their lives.
“Counselling helps survivors see the light and break the chain of violence. Our approach is not to tell survivors what to do but to guide them towards informed decisions that suit their circumstances. That is why we stress the importance of professional counselling, walking with survivors until they feel empowered to make the right choices for themselves,” she explained.
EWF also presented findings from research conducted in Bulawayo and Umzingwane District, examining the gendered impact of drought.
“We explored how women in urban areas like Bulawayo and rural communities like Umzingwane are differently affected by climate change and drought. We considered the challenges they face, including GBV, and the coping mechanisms they employ. Women in rural areas have distinct strategies compared to those in urban settings due to their geo-locations,” Matambo noted.
The report emphasized that women are not a homogenous group and face varied challenges based on their circumstances.
EWF called for the establishment of emergency support services, including counselling and a dedicated response team trained to assist women experiencing GBV. The Forum also recommended crisis intervention programmes to equip community leaders and local health workers with the skills to identify GBV cases and provide immediate support.
The launch also featured a documentary showcasing EWF’s initiatives in GBV prevention, women’s empowerment, economic justice, advocacy, and psychosocial support.
