Picture Credit: IBTimes UK
Nashipa was 13 when she was given to her husband as his third wife. This was in 2013 September. To her, this was disheartening as she was certain her life’s dreams, to get education and a decent job, had died. Over the years many organizations have come to her village in Mporri, Namanga- Kajiado County, occasionally, to rescue victims of early marriage but unfortunately she and her friends were not part of this operation. Now, at 18 with three children, she has found peace and a home and wouldn’t agree to leave her family after the long duration in this institution.
What she needs is hope, that she can still make her dream a reality. She needs organizations and people helping such women develop from within, giving them a voice, choice and power to make sound decisions for herself, her children and also for the community. Partnering with the local church, Lulu Thamani helps such women and young mothers. Through the Malaika Women’s Development Program it helps women and girls from 15 different villages in Namanga gain social, financial and spiritual skills to help them improve their lives. Working with women groups, we provide mobile solutions for them to save and get loans to start and grow their businesses.
Voices of many women in highly cultural environment remain unheard, like feather, float in the wind to be lost forever at sea. It would take collaboration and unity of thought among organizations to give these young girls, who are victims of child marriage, and also those who have gone through other challenges hindering their development, meaningful hope and also a future.
“Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” — G.D. Anderson.