Empowering Girls: Finding a Place in Society
The story of Neema, as told to a Convoy of Hope team member.
Girls hold the lowest place in our society, which exposes us to domestic violence and makes us believe we’re not smart or beautiful enough.
When I read about Girls’ Empowerment in the newspaper, I began attending their events and started a group at my school talking about issues that affect girls. This helped me become empowered.
Later, my rights were violated. But I stood up for myself. Consequences were harsh: I was expelled from school and my father almost disowned me. But because of my actions, other girls were protected from suffering the same fate as I did. A good Samaritan sponsored me to go to another school, and I am now safe to study and grow.
A song on the newest “Empowered Girls” CD says we need to be the change we desire to see in our families, communities, and nation. We cannot stay quiet and watch as our sisters are violated.
We know we are valuable as girls, and that we can lift up our communities from the darkness and poverty that we grew up with. Our society doesn’t teach us how to do this, but Girls’ Empowerment does.
After I finish university, I plan to devote my career to advocating for the rights of girls and women.
