By Justica Nekesa, Director of Euphrasia Women’s Centre, Kenya (Eastern Central Africa Province)
Born and raised in a Maasai village in Ewasso, central Kenya, 23-year-old Selei* is one of ten siblings. She is from a polygamous family and is the first girl born of her father’s first wife of three.
When she was just 15 years old, her father and older brother plotted to marry her off so that the dowry could be used to educate other children in the family.
After Selei learned about the plan and refused, her father and brother encouraged six young Maasai men to rape her so that she would give in to their demands to get married. Unfortunately, she became pregnant as a result of the rape and had to drop out of school.
After she gave birth – with the help of her mother – she returned to school. Through sheer determination, she managed to complete her high school education, but her father and brother continued to force her into marriage.
Unfortunately, in Maasai culture, once a girl has given birth out of wedlock, she is seen as having less value because the dowry for her is less than that of a virgin,
Last year, in 2023, she ran away from home to seek to find a job to support herself and her child and free herself from the control of her father and brother.
Social workers from the Euphrasia Women’s Center came to hear about her story. They supported her enrolling in the Fashion and Design Dress Making course at the St. Euphrasia Vocational and Training Institute. Here, she was able to learn new skills that would open the door to opportunities for her to support herself and look after her child.
After 10 months of attending the center, Selei is waiting to receive official accreditation to allow her to be a certified fashion designer.
Selei said, “I will do anything in my power to protect my child so that she does not go through what I went through in the name of ‘culture.’ I will work hard and use the skills I have gained at St. Euphrasia Vocational and Training Institute to promote equity and the rights of girls and women who suffer because society looks down on them and segregates their rights. I want my determination and hard work to inspire many girls and women to stand up for what is right, even if society tries to deny them their rights. Through Euphrasia Women’s Center, I was able to heal from my trauma and see hope for life again when I thought that all was finished. When I thought that life had no meaning, I found a reason to live again. I want to share this story of hope with all the women and girls with whom I come into contact.”
*Not her real name
