THE PROFOUND INFLUENCE OF UNRESOLVED TRAUMA
Unresolved trauma stemming from GBV can have a profound impact on women in business and leadership positions. Survivors may grapple with fear, self-doubt, trust issues, emotional instability, boundary challenges, self-neglect, and difficulty in decision-making, among other issues. This is particularly true in an environment like South Africa where the blame is placed on the victim and the emotional burden of seeking justice and being continually re-victimised can go on for years without any justice being served. These experiences compromise the way they show up in the professional world, inhibiting their full potential and contributions to leadership and innovation. It is essential to acknowledge the significant cost of GBV and trauma and work collectively to dismantle patriarchal systems and cultural norms that stigmatise help-seeking behaviour and perpetuate shame for women. Addressing these issues is vital to unlocking the full potential of women in leadership, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainability. It is a shared responsibility to create a world where women can thrive, leading, innovating, and contributing without the shackles of trauma and violence.
THE COST OF GBV: A MULTIFACETED CHALLENGE
"We can quantify the loss in terms of economic opportunities, indeed! But beyond that, the true cost is a profoundly human one. It encompasses every hope, every dream, and every moment of courage. Often, the pain overshadows the light. It's in these moments that we, as sisters, must lift one another, support each other in our vulnerabilities. True healing occurs when witnessed by a compassionate soul. I know it's emotional and may be triggering, but I want us to recognise that this cost is profoundly human; it's not just something written in a textbook."
Tracey-Lee Kotzen, CEO, Mental Wellness Initiative
November 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
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