Have you ever imagined living in an area where there are absolutely no men? If you haven't, you need to know that there is a village in Africa that can only be inhabited by women. The village is called Umoja and is located in the country of Kenya.
In Umoja Village, men are not allowed to enter this area. Being part of the Samburu region, the majority of women in this village are victims of discrimination from their own families.
To find out more about Umoja Village, which is only inhabited by women, check out the Thomson Reuters Foundation explanation quoted from Global Citizen below!
The Origin of Umoja Village Stands
In 1990, Rebecca Lolosoli was evicted by her family and abused by a group of men for refusing to practice female genital mutilation. While being hospitalized, he began to think about opening a village where men were forbidden from entering.
The name Umoja was chosen because it means unity in Swahili. The women of Umoja have always come together to work together to make their lives better. In addition, they also teach each other the importance of women's rights.
Besides Rebecca Lolosoli, there is another early resident of Umoja named Jane Nolmongen. The 53-year-old woman came to Umoja from northern Kenya after being kicked out by her husband because it was discovered that she had been raped by British soldiers.
The Number of Citizens That Continues to Increase
Most of the early residents of Umoja Village were women from Samburu who were sexually abused, expelled, and deprived of their rights to their property or children. Until now, the residents of Umoja Village are also those who fled from early marriage and the practice of female genital mutilation.
At the beginning of the opening of Umoja Village, there were as many as 15 women living in it. Once upon a time the population of this village reached 50 families. By 2021, there will be a total of 37 women and their children living in Umoja Village.
All of them live in their respective houses which were built together. There is also a school in the village where their children study. All buildings in Umoja Village are surrounded by fences made of thorny wood branches.
Source of Villagers' Income
The all-female villagers make a living by selling honey and handmade beaded souvenirs to visiting tourists. Unfortunately, they have also been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are absolutely no tourists visiting during the pandemic.
They think of other ways to find new sources of income. The villagers decided that if a villager had savings, the savings would be used by the whole community until they could sell the beads again.
Citizens' Achievements
Evidence of the success of these women after living in Umoja Village, for example, is Jane Nolmongen. He managed to send his 8 children to school and has the right to the land where he lives. In addition, he also has a noble job that earns him.
Her two children who have grown up and graduated from school even have classy professions. A son works in the police force and a daughter works as a journalist. What an amazing struggle from a mother huh!
Teaching Women's Rights
The women from Umoja Village also regularly go to other villages to teach women's rights. Plus informing the importance of involving women in property and land ownership.
Other villagers are taught to know their rights as women. After that it is followed up to ensure that they really enjoy their rights. Two of the rights taught are the right to wear good clothes and the right to own property.
In fact, a man from a neighboring village, Nashami Village named Samuel Leyapem admitted that the residents of Umoja Village inspired the surrounding community to give women more rights that are already their rights.
Now, the wait for the residents of Umoja Village to own a grazing land of their own will soon be realized. The land is located about a few kilometers from their village.
Purchased a few years ago from savings and donations, it will soon be legally owned. The existence of a certificate can later save them from clashes that usually occur in the Samburu area.
The struggle of the women of Umoja Village is amazing. Are you interested in visiting this village?