Silent Tears: Portraits of Strong Women

Their journey was frequently filled with hardship. The Silent Tears photo exhibition raises awareness of the plight of women with disabilities. Sharing their stories serves as a symbol of their empowerment. Listen to what the women have to say.

Attention! The following pictures and audio files may be disturbing! They address acts of violence against women.

Eugenics: Simone's Story (Australia)

Zwei Hände auf einer nassen Glasscheibe, dahinter die Silhouette einer Frau. Auf der Scheibe spiegelt sich ein Fenster. Ein Lichtschein wirft den Schatten der Frau auf die Scheibe. © Eugenics – Simone – Australien – Silent Tears Projekt

Simone is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears project.

Listen to the audio version of Simone's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Invalid Tears: Vicki's Story (Australia)

Gesicht einer Frau mit geschlossenen Augen hinter einer Glasscheibe voller Tropfen. © Invalid Tears – Vicki – Australien – Silent Tears Projekt

Vicki is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Vicki's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

The Butcher: Carolyn's Story (Australia)

Eine Frau mit aufgrissenen Augen und offenem Mund in OP-Kleidung schaut durch eine Narkosemaske vor ihrem Gesicht. © The Butcher – Carolyn – Australien – Silent Tears Projekt

Carolyn is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Carolyn's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Resilience: Mona's Story (Canada)

Gesicht einer älteren, indigenen Frau. Sie blickt ernst und runzelt die Stirn, eine Träne läuft ihr die Wange herunter. © Resilience – Mona – Canada – Silent Tears

Mona is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its most diverse forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Mona's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Tears of the Soul: Irlanda's Story (Ecuador)

Gesicht einer Frau aus Lateinamerika hinter einer Glasscheibe, an die sie mit der Hand fasst © Tears of the Soul – Irlanda Ayoví – Ecuador – Silent Tears Projekt

Irlanda is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Irlanda's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Scream: Sara's Story (Germany)

Eine Frau steht frontal hinter einer Glasscheibe voller Wassertropfen. Sie hält sich mit beiden Händen den Kopf und schreit mit weit geöffnetem Mund. © Sream – Sara – Deutschland – Silent Tears Projekt

Sara is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Sara's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Radio: Andrea's Story (Guatemala)

Lächelnde Frau im Profil vor einer Glasscheibe voller Wassertropfen © Silent Tears

Andrea is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Andrea's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Acid: Kavita's Story (India)

Frau mit Tuch Kopf und Gesicht, das nur ihre Augen freilässt © Acid – Kavita Shetty – Indien – Silent Tears Projekt

Kavita is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Kavita's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Marriage: Syafrina's Story (Indonesia)

Eine Frau mit gelbem Kopftuch vor einem nassen Spiegel. Ihr Gesicht ist im Spiegel zu sehen. © Marriage – Syafrina – Indonesien – Silent Tears

Syafrina is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Syafrina's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Rape: Emanuella's Story (Italy)

Frauengesicht hinter einer Folie. Es ist unklar, ob sie ihr Gesicht leicht in die Folie drückt oder ob die Folie auf ihr Gesicht gedrückt wird. © Rape – Emanuella –Italien – Silent Tears

Emanuella is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Emanuella's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

A Thousand Tears: Adame's Story (Mali)

Eine Frau hinter einer Scheibe voller Wassertropfen hat ihre Hand auf die Scheibe gelet. © A Thousand Tears – Adame – Mali – Silent Tears Projekt

Adame is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Adame's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Salt: Naila's Story (Pakistan)

Eine Frau mit langem, dunklem Haar legt ihre Hände auf eine nasse Scheibe, hinter der sie steht. © Salt – Naila – Pakistan – Silent Tears

Naila is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Naila's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Only Skin: Claudia's Story (South Africa)

Gesicht einer hellhäutigen afrikanischen Frau hinter einer Strukturglasscheibe © Only Skin – Claudia – SüdafrikaSilent – Tears Projekt

Claudia is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Claudia's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Barrier Free: The story of women from West Africa

Drei Frauen sitzen hintereinander. Die Vorderste legt ihren Kopf auf ihren Arm ab, die zweite stützt ihren Kopf auf der rechten Hand auf. Dahinter ist das Gesicht einer dritten Frau zu erkennen. Ihre Gesichter sind unscharf, sie befinden sich hinter einer nassen Glasscheibe. © Barrier Free – Drei Frauen – Westafrika – Silent Tears Projekt

These women are among the 24 who have experienced and survived violence in its most diverse forms. They share their stories with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of the experiences of the women from West Africa now!

0:00 0:00 100

Never Give Up: Ummul's Story (India)

Eine junge Frau schaut aus einem Fenster © Silent Tears Projekt

Ummul is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Ummul's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Rain: Roslyn's Story (South Africa)

Eine Frau sitzt mit einer Fernbedienung in der Hand auf einem Sofa. © Rain – Roslyn – Südafrika – Silent Tears Projekt

Roslyn is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Roslyn's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Thin Skin Thick: Carly's Story (Australia)

© Thin Skin Thick– Carly – Australia – Silent Tears

Carly is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Carly's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Free Hugs: Irma's Story (Guatemala)

© Free hugs – Irma – Guatemala – Silent Tears

Irma is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Irma's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Still Dancing: Jacky's Story (Guatemala)

© Still dancing – Jackie – Guatemala – Silent Tears Project

Jacky is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Jacky's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Hope: Ngatinem's Story (Indonesia)

© Hope – Ngatinem – Indonesia – Silent Tears

Ngatinem is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Ngatinem's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Rites: Harti's Story (Indonesia)

© Rites – Harti – Roslyn – Indonesia – Silent Tears

Harti is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Harti's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Transcend: Amao's Story (Australia)

© Transcend– Amao – Australia – Silent Tears

Amao is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Amao's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Without Consent: Lesley's Story (Australia)

© Without Consent– Lesley – Australia – Silent Tears

Lesley is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Lesley's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100

Love: Love's Story (South Africa)

© Love – South Africa – Silent Tears

Love is one of 24 women who have experienced and survived violence in its various forms. She shares her story with us as part of the Silent Tears exhibition.

Listen to the audio version of Love's experiences now!

0:00 0:00 100
Logo Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung mit Bundesadler © BMZ

Supported by ENGAGEMENT GLOBAL with funds from the Germany Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

This might also interest you