Even though there is talk of giving equal rights to women and men around the world, there are many places where women are still fighting this fight. In male dominated society, women try to get out in every possible way and breathe openly.
This situation is not only in India but also in some other countries of the world. Today we are telling you about such a unique place in the world where only women rule and the entry of men is completely banned.
‘Umoja’ village of northern Kenya
There is a village located in Samburu County of North Kenya, ‘Umoja’, which looks like a tribal settlements to a large extent, but there is only one difference in this village and other villages – there are no men in this village. Only women live here and their rule goes on. Entry here is prohibited for men.
Umoja village is mainly home to women who have faced sexual violence and misconduct and often for this reason her family left them. Those women also live in this village who escaped from misdeeds like child marriage or women’s circumcision. Currently about 50 families live in this village.
Women’s rights school
Although the number of family members living in the village keeps decreasing, its main objective is women empowerment. The village educates its residents about women’s rights and gender -based violence. Women of all ages can come and feel safe here.
Freedom from patriarchal society
Most of the women living in Umoja are of Samburu culture. Samburu is a patriarchal society where polygamy practice is prevalent and female mutuality is also done on a large scale. In such a situation, Umoja village has become a symbol of freedom for these women with a safe shelter and the bondage of patriarchal society.
There is another unique rule of this village: any woman’s male child is allowed to stay in the village only till the age of 18 years. After this, he has to leave the village and go somewhere else.
Umoja village presents an example of courage, solidarity and self-reliance of women. This shows how women can come together and create a safe and respectable life for themselves.