“I wouldn’t want any girl to go through what I did”

Resian underwent Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a young girl and shortly after was forced into marriage. With support from Federation of Women Lawyers- Kenya (FIDA Kenya) she is now rebuilding her life and is determined to prevent other girls from going through the same harrowing ordeal.

“When FIDA heard about my plight, they sent Sammy (the local Chief) to pick me up from Narok where my parents had sent me to be with my husband.

I was hopeless and depressed. Many times I contemplated suicide because I could not imagine letting go of my dreams and having to tolerate my husband’s abuse the rest of my life. But through FIDA, I rose in resilience, and I was able to finish my secondary education. Now, I hope to enrol for a Diploma in Business Administration with a bursary they helped me secure.

I want the Maasai girls who are going through violence in one way or the other to hear my story. I want my community to know that girls can change their families’ socio-economic status. I want to influence generations.

I am glad that there is support for girls whose rights are being violated. But most importantly, I am glad that girls are becoming increasingly aware of their rights and the freedom they have to determine what they want in life. I wouldn’t want any girl to go through what I did, and I have resolved to fight against this vice with every fibre of my being.”