Storytelling as Empowerment

Storytelling on (conflict-based) sexualised, sexual and gender-based violence

Worldwide, people, often women and girls, are affected by sexual violence in conflict and during political turmoil. As a continuation of existing gender, ethnic, racial, religious and other discrimination, inequalities and disadvantes, the ensuing consequences, such as stigmatization, physical and mental harms, and further discrimination make it difficult to talk about these experiences.

For this reason, many survivors and victims do not share these stories of crimes committed against them. Storytelling can be a powerful tool to expose injustice, fight stigmatization and encourage others to come forward with their stories. If done well, storytellers can support the fight for justice and reduce stigmatization and complement transitional justice efforts.

Together with ART WORKS Projects, the Human Rights Film Festival Berlin is organizing this one-day event to understand the impact these acts of CRSV have on survivors, the risks involved when they come forward with these accounts, and how best to tell these (collective) stories including the contexts within which they occur. Our goal is to raise awareness among storytellers that these events and surrounding circumstances are notoriously difficult to document. The conference encourages the participants to reflect on the challenges and risks in order to avoid negative consequences and find ways to tell impactful stories.