By Kagwiria Muturia, Senior Advisor for Justice, Rights, and Gender Equity at World Renew

Act with courage. Swim against the tide that seeks to silence women and girls, because one life lost to gender-based violence is one too many.

“There is nothing I can do about it; he will hit me until he is tired of hitting and stops, or I will die from it one day.”

“I heard the cries for help from my neighbour; her husband was hitting her again. I have learned to mind my business because even if I report it, the police will do nothing. Also, this man is a member of a gang; he will come after me. But on this day, my teenage daughter took the courageous step to stand up for this woman. ‘Mom, you go help her, or I will go myself,’ she said. I had to call the police. When they showed up, the woman was bleeding from her forehead, her mouth swollen from the punches she had received. Not surprisingly, she sided with her husband, saying he had not hit her, and that everything was fine. The police did not question her response and try to protect her; they left the poor woman in the hands of her abuser.”

“We consider it a blessing if our young girls make it to their 20th birthday. Every day is a struggle for survival, combating gender-based violence and the threat of gangs.”

— Quotes from World Renew focus group discussions in Honduras

Beauty and Brokenness Side by Side

I recently spent time in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, staying at Villa Gracia, a retreat centre nestled in the hills of El Picacho. Each morning, we ran through lush green valleys, surrounded by birdsong, vibrant flowers, and sweeping views. I found myself in awe—of the beauty, the warm hospitality, the rich culture.
Yet behind this beauty are deeply painful realities.

During visits with partners and community members in Nueva Suyapa, I heard story after story from women living with violence and fear. Although I have worked in the gender-based violence (GBV) space for nearly 15 years, these stories shook me deeply. They were a stark reminder that beneath the surface of many communities around the world are women and girls navigating daily threats to their safety and dignity.

A Global Crisis That Demands Action

Gender-based violence is not confined to one country or context—it is a global crisis. In communities where poverty, insecurity, harmful social norms, and weak systems intersect, violence against women and girls can become tragically normalized.

The stories shared in Honduras echo stories we hear in many parts of the world: women silenced by fear, systems that fail to protect them, and communities struggling to respond. These realities call us to act—not only by addressing immediate needs, but by confronting the root causes of violence.

At World Renew, we believe meaningful change requires a holistic approach: prevention, response, and accountability. This includes working with communities to challenge harmful norms, supporting survivors with care and dignity, and strengthening systems so that justice is possible.

Hope Rooted in Courage and Community

Amid the pain, there is also remarkable hope.

In Nueva Suyapa, I witnessed women coming together to rebuild their lives. Through trauma healing and economic empowerment initiatives supported by World Renew and local partners, women are finding pathways to recovery and resilience. On one hillside, a group of women even built a road—both a literal and symbolic pathway toward a different future.

Their stories remind us that transformation is possible. When women are supported, equipped, and given space to lead, communities begin to change.

This is why we must continue to speak out—relentlessly. Silence allows violence to persist. Courage, even in small acts, can interrupt it.

Together, we can help create a world where women and girls are not only safe, but able to flourish. Learn more today.