Stories of Courage and Resilience Redefining the Gender-Based Violence Survivors

There can be #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls. This year we are celebrating 16 Days of Activism intending to renew commitments and call for accountability to ensure gender equality and uphold the rights of women and girls.

UNDP’s Strengthening Women’s Ability for Productive New Opportunities (SWAPNO) project, supported by Sweden, empowers vulnerable women to escape cycles of abuse and poverty, offering them a path to resilience and independence. Women working with the project allow us a scope to redefine gender-based violence survivors.

As we are observing 16 Days of Activism, here are three stories of resilience that can inspire everyone:

Anju: From Child Bride to Breadwinner

Anju Ara was married off when she was in class 6 and became a mother by 14. She endured years of violence from her husband and in-laws. She remained silent as she expected things to get better with time. However, she was abandoned by her husband and lost custody of her eldest son. 

Things were not easy when she returned to her parents. She was subjected to ridicule and shame as there was are social stigma associated with being abandoned by her husband.

“I could not lose hope because I had two of my children dependent on me. I knew no matter how dark the situation gets I must survive for them” she said.

At 25, Anju Ara has transformed her life from one of abuse and hardship to independence and resilience.

She was working in the agricultural field as a day labourer to feed her children. Hope came through UNDP’s SWAPNO program, where she earned a steady income and received business training. With support from the program, she started a fishery business alongside her public maintenance job.

Amena: Overcoming Violence and Finding Hope

Amena Begum’s life took a devastating turn when her husband’s abuse left her blind in one eye and caused the loss of her unborn child. Fleeing her abusive household with her two children, she sought refuge at her mother’s home, struggling to survive.

“I refused to let my disability hold me back. This work in SWAPNO is a source of steady income for me which gave me the strength to move forward” she said. 

Though physical labor is challenging due to her condition, Amena plans to start a small shop to achieve independence and secure a better future for her family.

Lovely: A Journey from Abuse to Empowerment

Lovely was leading a blissful married life with her daughter, husband, and in-laws. However, things did not remain the same after a couple of years. Her husband got involved in illegal activities. When Lovely protested the actions, her husband started being abusive to her.

“My daughter was four years old when she saw me getting beaten. She is still traumatized by the memory” she said. Her mother-in-law tried to stop her husband on different occasions. Yet the abuse escalated, forcing her to leave with her two children.

Unlike many others, Lovely’s family was a lot more supportive. They backed her up when she started working as a day labourer. After a while, she joined UNDP’s SWAPNO program. She received training on small business and entrepreneurship and opened her own cosmetics shop. Her shop has gained popularity in her village getting her a good amount of income.

She has now become a decision-maker for her family and an inspiration for others. 

“No girl should be married off early. I want my daughter to study and achieve her dreams. I even hope my sister completes nursing education before getting married,” Lovely shares with determination.