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ARTICLES
A Place Where Women Rule
All-female village in Kenya is a sign of burgeoning feminism across Africa.
Originally published in the Washington Post on July 9, 2005.
This article speaks of how African women with almost nothing are able to manifest a healing and peaceful environment. Despite the global pressures, feminism African Female style is able to create a thriving community.
Categorized in these topics: Baba Yaga Bioculinary Economics Engendered Practices Female Social Justice Feminine Matrix and Female Culture Hunger Internally Displaced People Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rape Sexual Abuse Violence Women in Collaboration Women's Trauma Issues
 | | By Emily Wax
Posted Sunday, November 18, 2007, 05:40 AM |
The story begins with Rebecca Lolosoli, matriarch of a village for women only. It is the place where only women rule.
In 1995, the village of Umoja, a name that translates to unwanted grasslands is filled with females escaping brutal domestic violence, rapes and forced marriages.
Lolosoli, herself was abandoned by her husband.
This situation began an extrordinary existence for these women who carved out a village of their own. Given a sense of place and space,over three dozen women occupy the site. Tourists are impelled to visit Umoja helping the women to become self-sustainable in their own right.
This story provides us a model from which women globally can take the courage to manifest culture that is inclusive of their gender but does not exclude others based on their gender, class or race.
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