ASMAA FATHI

Cairo- The Bar Aman Initiative in Alexandria, non-profit feminist initiative that works on raising awareness about women’s issues and gender-based violence, and providing support to girls and women, has held storytelling workshops for survivors of violence to break the silence on sexual and gender-based violence. Participating in the workshops, survivors of gender-based violence tell and share their real stories.

NuJINHA spoke to Mayar Makki, founder of the initiative, about the workshops. “We realize that survivors can overcome the trauma by telling their stories to others. Women participating in the workshops do not see themselves as victims anymore. This is a great step to break the silence on all forms of gender-based violence,” she told us.

 Recently, many NGOs have held storytelling workshops for survivors of gender-based violence in Egypt. “The NGOs have held workshops to support the survivors of gender-based violence. These workshops play an important role for women to express themselves more easily.”

‘These workshops encourage women’

“Perhaps, I will participate in the workshop again because I am completely forbidden from going out,” one of the women participating in the storytelling workshops told Mayar Makki during a workshop. “Women suffer in silence. These workshops encourage women to tell their stories. Some women managed to rebuild their life by overcoming the trauma by telling their stories. The successful experiences of these women impress me. One of the participants of a workshop was a girl, who was subjected to domestic violence. Her parents broke her hands and arms to prevent her from going to school. We provided financial support to her and she completed her education. Despite everything, she managed to build a life for herself.”

 ‘Breaking the cycle of violence is important’

The initiative also supported a girl, who wanted to be a journalist but was prevented by her family. “Now, she is a successful journalist. Such stories inspire other girls and women. Breaking the cycle of violence is important. Women and girls can realize their dreams by breaking gender stereotypes and the cycle of violence.”