Eugenia Moche
Founder of Victims To Survivors (VTS), Lizette Feris, has taken to social media with powerful images of herself wearing makeup that mimics bruises and injuries, symbolising the pain endured by victims.
Her most recent post reached more than 20,000 views on Facebook in two days and has sparked conversations nationwide, challenging communities to confront the realities of gender-based violence (GBV).
Feris, who has been practising visual activism since 2012, said the decision to use herself as a canvas for activism was born out of frustration with the silence surrounding GBV. Being a survivor herself, she wanted to create a visual representation that would be impossible to ignore.
She explained that since she has healed, she is more confident and can put herself back in “that place” to represent victims going through it.
“Wearing the makeup made me feel the way a woman would feel walking around with a bruised face, even when their bruises are not fully visible because some abusers will not hurt you where it’s visible but will hurt you where it isn’t,” she said.
Her work, she explained, is not about shock value but about empathy. By embodying the bruised faces of survivors, she forces society to confront the human cost of GBV.
She further highlighted how, in some cases, the reason victims do not leave abusive relationships is not only because they are psychologically trapped but also because of the fear of being judged and the lack of societal sensitivity or empathy.
Asked why she believes visual activism is effective, Feris emphasised the emotional impact of imagery.
In the viral social media update, she explained how people thought she was being abused although the caption indicated that the bruises were makeup used as a visual representation.
She explained how the responses on the post was what she intended and used it as an opportunity to start a conversation.
“Men, do you talk to your brothers and sons about it?” she asked.
Her campaign demonstrates how art and advocacy can intersect to create a powerful tool for social change.
“We can’t always have conferences and workshops only. We should have social flash mobs to stimulate discussions in different sections and areas.”
Since launching her campaign, Feris has received a wide range of responses. Some have praised her bravery, while others have expressed discomfort at the rawness of her images.
She noted that some victims themselves have reached out to her after seeing her posts. These interactions have reinforced her belief that her work is not only raising awareness but also offering solidarity to those who feel unseen.
She believes that while progress has been made, the scale of the problem requires more urgent and coordinated action.
“The problem goes beyond GBV, but at mental health especially to men. Societal expectation for men to be strong, have a good status or symbol puts a toll on their mental health, and they can’t cope,” she said.
She highlighted that even though the majority of GBV victims are women, GBV cannot be addressed without the involvement of men. “We must recognise that there is something not right on that side either,” she added.
Feris further spoke of collaborations, workshops, and campaigns that she has worked on in the past. “Flash mobs” as social experiments with actors made her realise that visual activism is truly needed.
She envisions expanding her campaign beyond social media but believes that proper planning and drafting of projects and events cannot be fully done without financial aid or assistance from the government.
On the question of whether government and community responses are strong enough, Feris offered a candid assessment.
She acknowledged that while Namibia has policies and campaigns in place, the reality on the ground often tells a different story.
She pointed out how it really comes down to strategic leadership. “So even if we have these great plans on paper, there’s no political will, no financial commitment, no resources, no collaboration in terms of other donors like international donors that the government can engage with,” she stated.
She added that enforcement remains inconsistent, with survivors frequently facing barriers when seeking justice or protection.
Community support, she noted, is also uneven; while some grassroots groups have stepped up, stigma and silence still prevent many from speaking out.
Feris’s message for survivors of GBV who may feel unseen: “You matter, find your tribe even if it’s just one person and opportunity will be there in support for when you are ready.”
