Author Teresa Afonso Leimdörfer donates SEK 500,000 to women’s organisations

In Under samma mörka himmel, Teresa Afonso Leimdörfer tells the story of her dramatic and eventful life, from growing up in war-torn Angola to starting a new life in Sweden. Her experiences of men’s violence and control are central to the story, but so is her path to safety: how she learned Swedish, started working, became financially independent and eventually built a successful business. She now wants the book to help other women build independent lives.

“I know how hard it can be to get out of a situation where someone else controls your life. Leaving is the first step, but then you also need the chance to build something new: your own finances and a future free from fear and insecurity. That is why it feels important to Peter and me to support these organisations, which help women do exactly that every day,” says Teresa Afonso Leimdörfer.

The funds, presented as the Guldhjulet Award, were given to the two organisations on 20 October at the launch of Under samma mörka himmel at Bokförlaget Forum on Sveavägen in Stockholm.

“I have great admiration for Teresa’s strength in coming through difficult experiences and for the life she has since built. Her commitment to vulnerable women has been evident throughout our work on the book and is now clearly reflected in the generous support she and her husband Peter are giving to Unga Kvinnors Värn and Kvinnors Nätverk,” says Mattias Abrahamsson, publisher at Bokförlaget Forum.

About the recipients:

Kvinnors Nätverk is a non-profit women’s rights organisation working against men’s violence against women, with particular expertise in honour-related violence and oppression. Through services including Linnamottagningen and Matildaverksamheten, the organisation offers counselling, psychosocial support, help in dealing with public authorities, and support for women and young people who need to build a new social network.

“Even though I work with men’s violence against women every day, I was deeply moved by Teresa’s story and by the vitality and hope it holds. It is an important contribution to women’s history and to the fight against men’s violence against women. Receiving the Guldhjulet Award is a great honour. The money will enable us to document and share the methods and experience developed over more than 30 years of supporting women subjected to violence,” says Leila Qaraee, Chair of Kvinnors Nätverk.

Unga Kvinnors Värn is a non-profit foundation working with young women who have been subjected to intimate partner violence, violence from family members or other relatives, and honour-related violence and oppression. Its services include sheltered housing, protected and transitional apartments, and a free outpatient clinic. The work focuses on both immediate protection and long-term support so that the women can build independent lives.

“We are extremely happy and grateful for this generous gift. Teresa’s life story shows the tremendous strength a woman can have when she is given the chance to take control of her own life. At Unga Kvinnors Värn, we meet young women every day who live with violence, threats and control, but also with dreams and a strong determination to create a different future. This gift gives us greater opportunities to be there for more women on their way to a future free from violence,” says Pernilla Lesse, Head of Operations at Unga Kvinnors Värn.

For more information and interview requests regarding the Guldhjulet Award:

teresa@guldhjulet.se / +46 70 714 16 11

For questions about the book Under samma mörka himmel:

lisa.tallroth@forum.se / +46 70 249 00 82

Text translated from Swedish original.