Can you tell us the main point of your story?

It is to visualize gender-based violence and how it affects all of us women no matter our social classes, ages, wherever we are. And we are socialized to be afraid. Once, I saw an image that said, “Only a woman knows the relief that she feels to see that the person walking behind her is another woman.” I wanted to visualize this. Because, it is not okay in any sense, and it shouldn’t be socialized and accepted as normal. Women shouldn’t be afraid of walking in the street.

Has participating in this workshop impacted you?

Yes, listening to my classmates’ stories impacted me. When you start sharing stories, you start to remember many things that have happened, which is shocking, because you open old wounds. You realize you are not alone when you hear other people’s stories. I think in the workshop we treated these subjects with caution and sensitivity, like a “safe space,” so that helped me to feel comfortable and confident to talk. I think all my classmates felt that way, because they all opened up about very sensitive topics.

Can you share a message to other young women?

No matter what happened to you, it is never, never, never your fault.