Adan Omar Jaldesa tells the story of how he became a gender rights activist in Kenya.
Like many other young and innovative, activists and influential persons, I, Adan Omar Jaldesa, grew up in a remote and rural village of Isiolo County. Kinna is the name of the village.
I started my early education in Kinna and later graduated from a reputable university in Kenya.
The influence of cultural norms and practices
As a typical villager I lived within the scope of the cultural values and traditions that govern African communities.
Waso Borana, where I am from is a Boran speaking community in Isiolo County. In this community we are expected to strictly follow accepted norms and practices just as our ancestors did. These practices cover many aspects of day to day life such as conflict resolution, marriage and determine which social activities we should observe. It was always a taboo to stray from or abandon these communal beliefs and values.
We were taught that the elders are the custodians and young men and women have responsibility to continue them into the next generation. If any of use stray from the behavior these norms demand than the elders have the power to punish even by imposing fines. Elders are highly visible at important times overseeing celebrations and festivals
Becoming part of a youth activist movement
As a youth I became a member of the Activista movement. This is a youth movement whose aims revolve around sensitization, and the reduction of social and economic injustice within Kenyan society. The Activista movement is spread across several counties across the country including Vihiga, Makueni, Kilifi, Nairobi, Baringo and Migori.
I would describe Kenyan society today as in need to dramatic and drastic transformation. At present there are many inequalities and divides between the wealthy and the poor. This has led to harmful injustices and deep poverty. I believe I must rise and fight, a revolution must be born based on new ideas and vision of human beings living with dignity. Activists are united by this drive to change things for the better and this is deep inside me.
An experience that changed me
Having been born in a family of six boys, I grew up in an environment of masculinity with zero experience of empathy or sympathy for feminist views. Things changed one day, when I witnessed a woman covered with bruises, with blood oozing from her nose and swellings on her face. I wondered if it was only an accident, but I came to learn that this was a man’s doing and the man was her husband.
This greatly affected me take a step back and reflect on why and how this could happen. It made me think more carefully about the plight of women and girls in my community.
Unfortunately, a lot happens that affects the safety of women and girl children, and some men take advantage of a system that allows them to get away with treating their wives and daughters as objects of control.
The norms I have spoken about send messages to many men that this behavior is allowed. The persistence of female genital mutilation is one such cultural practice that clearly normalizes violence against women.
An imperative for collective action
Isiolo County is one of the 22 FGM hot spots in Kenya with statistics indicating that about two-thirds (65%) of girls aged 15-19 have undergone the practice compared to the national average of 21%. The majority of these girls come from the remote villages including Kinna and its surrounding environment.
I believe that FGM is one of the most serious forms of abuse girls in my community endure and so it became a focus for me to end it. I looked others who were like minded and started advocacy against FGM and all forms of abuse endured by women and girls.
We joined other youth from different parts of the region including the Isiolo Activista chapter. This allowed us to grown in strength and become more effective in fighting for the rights of women and girls.
Through journey into activism I have changed as a person. I am proud to be a champion for FGM/C advocacy. I became empowered by being part of this strong youth pillar that is determined to phase out FGM which is an extreme form of gender insensitivity.
Current activities
This year, I came face to face with the plight of girls during research coordinated by the University of Portsmouth in the UK and on behalf of the programme supporting the African-led Movement to and FGM/C.
The programme supporting the ALM is a consortium led by Options consultancy and funded by UK Aid. The research was focused on the ‘Political, Economic and Social Analysis of FGM/C in Isiolo’, and revealed insights related to the various brutal methods of genital cuttings and the resulting wounds inflicted on girls.
This researched moved me deeply, I found it very distressing and also determined still more to be an advocate for the girl child.
As part of the research team, I am currently working on a film that sensitizes on the dangers imposed on girls through the process of FGM/C. The film targets the Kenyan communities that still practice FGM.
Among other activities my team are also working to create harmonization and better understanding of religious teachings and traditional beliefs, in order to address the myths surrounding FGM that state religious and cultural beliefs require communities to practice it.
A vision for the future
Being involved in advocacy I have become a defender who tirelessly works to improve societies’ mentality and change the cultural definition of the norms that apply to women and girls.
I am now a father of two girls and my vision for their future is to see a society that is just; a society that does not enslave women and girls to traditions but instead create a safe harbour for all women.
This vision is what motivates me to become deeply involved in the world of social activism.