Ending Gender-Based Violence One Story at a Time
As is the case globally, the problem of gender-based violence in India and Bangladesh is exacerbated by deeply-rooted patriarchal social structures. Women and girls are discriminated against right from birth, and gender disparities are present in education, work environments, and everyday life. Many longstanding cultural, religious, and traditional practices in both countries reinforce male superiority and define women as weak, subordinate beings who exist solely to serve men and their needs. The gender-based violence that results not only impacts women's health and economic security, it causes trauma that can scar their relationships with intimate partners, children, and friends.
Recognizing the importance of shifting the social norms underpinning gender-based violence, in April of 2018, Silence Speaks traveled to Kolkata, India, to work with the U.S. Department of State’s American Center Kolkata and local West Bengal NGO Banglanatak on the “One Story at a Time” project, documenting every-day stories of gender bias. A group of young people from several Indian states and neighboring Bangladesh came together for a five-day digital storytelling workshop. They shared personal examples of the subtle and not so subtle dimensions of gender oppression that fuel violence against women, gathered photos and video footage; and learned to edit their stories using the WeVideo app. The videos were premiered at a film festival in Kolkata and circulated widely via social media, to prompt support for gender equality and an end to gender-based violence across South Asia and beyond. View selected stories below. View selected examples below and find more on our Silence Speaks Storytelling YouTube Channel.
