GBV survivors get a voice

NANCY MOLEFE

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

As gender-based violence (GBV) continues to affect communities across the country, the need to protect survivors and provide them with meaningful support throughout their healing journeys remains urgent. In response to this need Pearl Ncube, founder of Ratong Center, a Gaborone based non-governmental organisation (NGO) that supports survivors of GBV and people recovering from addiction, is set to advance a new initiative aimed at creating safe spaces for healing and recovery.

Through a new movement called Healing with Ms Pearl, Ncube is launching a podcast dedicated to sharing practical tools, resources and real life stories of healing with the community. “Our aim is to break the cycle of trauma carried into present life and create safe spaces for people to effectively begin their healing journey,” she said. The podcast is scheduled to launch on September 5 in Gaborone and will form part of a broader initiative that will include healing retreats and open psychological support sessions for individuals navigating different stages of their healing journeys.

According to Ncube, Healing with Ms Pearl will cater for three main age groups. The first group, comprising young people aged 16 to 24, will focus on issues such as relationships, peer pressure, childhood trauma and mental health. The second group of those aged 25 to 45 will explore challenges associated with marriage, parenthood and careers, while the third group consisting of people aged 45 and older, will address issues including chronic illness and broader social challenges.

Ncube said the initiative will distinguish itself from existing podcasts by combining personal stories with practical tools that listeners can use in their own healing journeys.“Action after talking is critical. Every episode ends with resources, helplines, support groups and how to join healing retreats designed to offer practical skills. We don’t leave people inspired and alone. We leave them connected,” she said.

As a GBV survivor herself, Ncube explained that her personal experiences played a significant role in inspiring the initiative. She noted that she did not start Healing with Ms Pearl because she had all the answers, but because she understood what it felt like to suffer in silence. “I know what it feels like to hurt in silence, to carry GBV, grief, divorce, unemployment and all the unspoken things alone, wishing someone would someday say, ‘You’re not alone and you can heal,’” she said.

The initiative is rooted in a community based approach, with professional counsellors, therapists and pastors involved to provide support and contribute to meaningful progress for those seeking healing. While the podcast will primarily air through social media platforms, Ncube said the initiative will also seek to reach people in rural communities through radio segments, ensuring that access to healing resources is not limited to those with regular access to digital platforms.

Through Healing with Ms Pearl, Ncube hopes to build a connected community where survivors and others dealing with trauma and life challenges can find not only stories they relate to, but also practical resources, professional support and pathways towards healing.