The Village With No Men

Summary

In Kenya, Rebecca Lolosoli, escaping an abusive marriage, founded the all-women village of Umoja, a sanctuary from male violence. For 30 years, this community has thrived without men, building huts, crafting jewelry, and even establishing a school. Despite initial resistance and attacks from men, Umoja has grown to a hundred strong, women-led, and financially independent. The story underscores the potential of women when given the chance to lead and succeed, urging societal changes for gender equality.

Takeaways

• 🌍 In Kenya, a woman named Rebecca Lolosoli created a village where only women are allowed, called Umoja.
• 👊 Rebecca started this village 30 years ago after enduring an abusive marriage, and realizing many women shared similar experiences.
• 👶 The women in the village suffered from domestic abuse, child marriage, and female genital mutilation, common in certain cultures.
• 🆘 When Rebecca sought help from authorities, she was ignored, prompting her and 14 other women to create their own village.
• 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 Umoja, meaning 'unity,' was built entirely by women, who constructed huts and created businesses by selling handmade jewelry to tourists.
• 🏫 The women also built a school to educate their children, creating a safe environment free from men.
• 🚫 Men are not allowed to live in Umoja, not even boyfriends, ensuring a peaceful space for the women.
• 💪 Despite opposition from nearby men who tried to sabotage their efforts, the women persevered and eventually bought off the men's village.
• 🎉 Umoja now has over 100 women, each representing a success story of empowerment and resilience.
• 👩‍⚖️ The village highlights the need for better policies to protect women and encourages educating boys to respect women, aiming for a world where women can thrive.

Q & A

Who is the woman mentioned in the script, and what did she achieve?

The woman mentioned in the script is Rebecca Lolosoli, and she achieved the creation of Umoja, a village in Kenya where only women are allowed to live.

Why did Rebecca create the village of Umoja?

Rebecca created the village after suffering abuse in her marriage and witnessing how common it was for women in her community to experience abuse, be treated as second-class citizens, and face practices like female genital mutilation.

What challenges did women in Rebecca's community face before Umoja was established?

Women in Rebecca's community faced domestic violence, rape, child marriage, and female genital mutilation. They had little to no protection from authorities and were expected to tolerate these conditions.

How did Rebecca and the other women create the village?

Rebecca and 14 other women decided they didn’t need men to survive. They found a piece of land, named it Umoja, and built everything themselves, including huts, a school, and a way to earn money by making and selling jewelry to tourists.

Why are men not allowed to live in Umoja?

Men are not allowed in Umoja to create a safe space for women who have faced abuse, ensuring the women can live peacefully and free from male dominance or violence.

Did the creation of Umoja face any opposition from men?

Yes, some men were jealous and tried to block tourists from visiting Umoja. They even attacked the village, but the women held strong and eventually bought out the men's village.

How do the women of Umoja support themselves financially?

The women of Umoja support themselves by creating handmade jewelry and selling it to tourists who visit their village.

What makes Umoja unique as a community?

Umoja is unique because it is entirely run by women, with no male residents allowed. The women govern, educate, and support each other while raising their children in a peaceful environment.

What message does the story of Umoja convey about women’s potential?

The story of Umoja shows that when women are given the chance, they can build successful societies, lead, run businesses, and thrive, even in the face of adversity.

What broader social change does the script advocate for?

The script advocates for better policies to protect women, more opportunities for women to succeed, and the importance of educating boys to respect women, so that gender equality can be achieved globally.