She sat quietly in the room.
Gathering the strength to explain what she had been through.
But before she could say a word, someone else spoke for her.
“She refuses to leave him. She’s always going back.”
And just like that, her voice disappeared from the conversation.
Across Nigeria, many women and girls with disabilities who experience Gender-Based Violence face this reality. Caregivers, family members, or even service providers often speak on their behalf, assuming they know what is best.
But when survivors are spoken over, their real experiences, fears, and choices are lost.
What may appear as “refusing to leave” could be many things:
It could mean Fear of retaliation, Economic dependence, Lack of accessible shelters, Social stigma, or simply not having safe alternatives
Survivor-centered care means creating space for survivors to speak for themselves.
It means listening patiently, respecting their decisions, and ensuring they receive dignified, accessible, and supportive services.
