Book Info
Title: When Secrets Become Stories: Women Speak Out
Editor: Sue Nyathi
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers, 2021
Length 216 pages
Buy here. 

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1. What is the book about?

Sue Nyathi

The book is a collection of real life accounts of gender based violence faced through the lifecycle of womanhood, from childhood to adulthood, in the home and in the workplace, from parents or guardians to intimate partners.

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2. What inspired the project?

Sue Nyathi

The project was inspired by my own personal encounters with gender based violence and from speaking about it I realised I could empower other women to speak out and overcome the shame that comes with silence.

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3. What is one thing you found challenging about working on the book?

Sue Nyathi

The challenging thing was to identify women willing to share their stories. However while many did agree, when they actually did begin their process of writing through their trauma they found they were still not ready to put it out there and withdrew. You really can’t force people to pour out, they need to be ready.

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4. What impact do you hope the book makes?

Sue Nyathi

The impact for me is that in telling our stories we will hopefully become a testimony in helping someone survive their own ordeal.

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5. What was your favorite thing about working on the book?

Sue Nyathi

My favorite thing about working on this book is that it opened me to a circle of absolutely amazing women. Sisters with voices.

 

Buy When Secrets Become Stories: Women Speak Out here