Why are the women's stories communicated by a man in the novel, Women Talking?

Because the women are illiterate, have been disallowed from learning to read and write, August is the only means for conveying their discussions and concerns prior to departing from the colony. Though Agata, Greta, Mariche, Salome, Mejal, Ona, Neitje, and Autje are all integral members of the narrative events and structure, none of them has the power to record their own thoughts or story. They must therefore rely on August to give their words shape, to allow them an archival existence and life beyond the space of the page.