I recently read an article that discusses a small village in Kenya that is composed of only females. After reading the article I wanted to know more. A simple google search led me to a youtube video by Broadly from 2015, which goes into greater depth for the creation and survival of the all-female village and its sister villages.

The all-female village, Umoja, began due to the efforts of Rebecca Lolosoli in 1990.

Rebecca Lolosoli is originally from the tribe of Samburu. There, she witnessed women being raped on the edge of her village by British soldiers. In Samburu tradition, women are viewed as the property of men, so when Rebecca began to speak out against these vicious acts she was beaten by the men of her tribe. As her husband did not try to defend her, she fled and other women followed her. Umoja was then born.

Many of the women of Umoja are there in order to escape abuses such as beatings, rape, genital mutilation, forced marriages, and the like. It is an example of a strong matriarchal society; the women care for, protect, and provide for themselves. They create beautiful jewelry and sell it to tourists who are welcomed into the village for a short time in order to both provide form themselves and so they could start a school. As these women see education as the building block to a positive future for all people, those in Umoja and out, children from neighboring villages under the control of men are welcome.

Umoja has been a real success, and as result, more villages are popping up in the surrounding area similar to Umoja. These sister villages, if you will, are also under the guidance and control of females, however, men are welcome to reside there so long as they recognize that the women have the power. The other villages are Nachami, Supalake, and Nang’ida.

Umoja translated means “unity” and I find this to be such a strong message. In most cultures, if a woman is raped she’s asked: “Well, what were you wearing?” If she was beaten she’s asked: “Well, what did you do to provoke him?” These questions come from men and women alike. I find it so inspiring that the women of Umoja have come together in support of one another, rather than trying to blame each other for the actions of their abusers. Umoja is also helping to show the world that women are more than competent to be in positions of power; whether those be positions in political offices or executive positions for companies. It’s beyond time for the world to take note; men and women are equal, and we deserve to be treated in such a manner.

The article and video I came across regarding Umoja can be found at the following links:

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/8PlD6P/:1jZZ9s@+_:_BzCq-c0/www.trueactivist.com/a-female-only-village-in-kenya-acts-as-a-safe-haven-for-victims-of-sexual-assault

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrnmBLB-UX4