The Story of Gender Based Violence - By Tanya Warnakulasuriya (writing as T.P. Tovenaar, performing as The Twitchy Witch)

Written By: Tanya Warnakulasuriya (writing as T.P. Tovenaar, performing as The Twitchy Witch)

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Tanya Warnakulasuriya, writing under the name T.P. Tovenaar and performing as The Twitchy Witch, presents a powerful poem titled "The Story of Gender Based Violence." This poignant piece is part of the Poetry category in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. It delves into the harrowing reality of gender-based violence, challenging societal norms and highlighting the systemic flaws that perpetuate such issues.

About the Work

"The Story of Gender Based Violence" is a stark and evocative exploration of the systemic roots of gender violence. Using a narrative style, T.P. Tovenaar critiques the complicity of societal institutions in perpetuating such violence. The poem is rich with imagery and impassioned calls for change, urging for a societal shift towards equality and respect for all genders.

The Story of Gender Based Violence

Original Submission by Tanya Warnakulasuriya (writing as T.P. Tovenaar, performing as The Twitchy Witch)

The story of Gender Based Violence

Recited By The Twitchy Witch , written by TP Tovenaar

Once upon a time

Gender based violence was not a crime

Men were told it was a conjugal right

To smack down a woman

And show her your might

Boys were brought up

To believe you’re a man

When you show your good woman

The back of your hand.

And the three main culprits who terrorise women

Are, civics, the law and of course, religion

The very three buggers who claim to respect

Who say they value and serve to protect

Have throughout history presented a threat

To women by teaching men that they matter more

Thrusting Patriarchy, masculinity, male dominance to the fore

The Roman man was the Emperor of his own home

Proclaiming life or death on his wife, for reasons unknown

English common law gave a man permission to hit

His wife and his kids with a whip or a stick

And the sad thing is these culprits are duplicitous

Decrying gender violence whilst encouraging it with surreptitiousness

Behind closed doors in the privacy of the home

Where he’s king of his castle and can sit on his throne

Of gold, or silk or wood or sand

Where she feels his boot, his belt, his hand

Hiding her wounds under powdered smiles and piety

No reporting, defending, confessing to disturb the fragile propriety

Doddery systems masquerading as citizens’ rights

Fail the women that they have no intention of

Helping out of their plight

And in matrimony these mischievous three

Have really done a number

Publicly shackling women with the blessed words

What God has joined together let no man

Cast asunder

But I’m not a man

And I will speak out

Against systems that are riddled with doubt

Our civic rights, our religions and our endless laws

Are perversely, systemically, and fundamentally flawed

They don’t serve women

They don’t serve girls

They don’t serve half the population of this world

Not now, not then and most likely not ever

We cannot rely on them to make things better

For women. No, we need a new approach

To save everyone from violence

To save everyone from reproach

We do this through connection

Through relationships and community

Through changing behaviors, challenging norms with impunity

By teaching our girls they deserve the best

And teaching our boys they’re not better than the rest

We cannot rely on societal norms

To rescue our women from these violent storms

Violence our structures perpetuate

Violence we must stop before its too late.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform that celebrates the power of words and creativity. It invites writers from around the world to share their unique voices and perspectives, fostering a global dialogue through poetry, short stories, essays, and creative writing.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Tanya Warnakulasuriya for her impactful poem, "The Story of Gender Based Violence," shared in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work not only sheds light on critical social issues but also inspires a call to action for a more equitable future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.