Against all odds: Rebbeca’s fight for leadership and community change
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In Samburu County, where tradition long dictated that leadership was the domain of men, Rebbeca Lolosoli dared to dream differently. Her vision for change required a position of influence, and she boldly decided to run for an MCA seat. But this wasn’t just a challenge to the established norms—it was personal. Rebbeca ran against her own husband.
Her decision sent shockwaves through the community. Whispers of disbelief spread from one manyatta to the next as people struggled to comprehend her audacity. Rebbeca wasn’t merely challenging the cultural status quo; she was upending the expectations within her own household.
Throughout her campaign, delegates from the community—both men and women—urged her to step down. Their pleas reflected deeply ingrained beliefs that women had no place in leadership. “Why are you vying for this position when there are women’s roles?” they would ask. But Rebbeca, adorned in the symbolic beads that carried the stories of her people, remained steadfast. She knew that in order to change the system, she had to challenge it head-on.
Though she did not win the seat for Waso Ward in Samburu County, her determination and grit earned her a nomination as an MCA in a different regime, separate from her husband’s. For Rebbeca, this was a victory in itself. She saw it as proof that women, too, can lead and make a difference. This belief now fuels her efforts as she mentors young women and girls, sharing her story and encouraging them to pursue leadership roles.
Creating Safe Spaces for Women and Girls
Rebbeca’s fight for gender equality didn’t stop with her political aspirations. In 1990, she founded Village with No Men, a rescue center that offers support to young women fleeing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), victims of domestic conflict, and survivors of gender-based violence. Over the years, the center has become a beacon of hope for women and girls in the community, providing a safe space and contributing to the establishment of a local school.
Reflecting on her journey, Rebbeca acknowledges the numerous obstacles she faced during her campaign. A lack of financial resources, societal norms that confined women to domestic roles, and an absence of strategic support made her path to leadership an uphill battle. Yet, despite these challenges and concerns for her safety, she woke up every day and went to her people, determined to make her mark.
Rebbeca is also deeply grateful for the ongoing training she receives on county governance and leadership, provided by Uraia Trust with support from UN Women and funding from Global Affairs Canada. “These resources have been invaluable in helping me become a more effective leader, and that is what I aim to be in the near future,” she shared.
Leading for Change
The road to gender equality is long, but Rebbeca is committed to walking it. “Women here neither own livestock nor land, even if their husbands are deceased,” she explains. Despite these entrenched inequalities, she remains undeterred, confident that her leadership will bring about lasting change.
For Rebbeca, women are the true keepers of their families and communities. “Women know all the problems—those of the household, the kids, and even the husbands,” she says. Her belief is that the impact women have within their homes can ripple out to transform the broader community. As she advocates for more training and knowledge of women’s rights, Rebbeca is equipping her fellow women with the tools they need to step into leadership roles.
Rebbeca Lolosoli’s story is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in the power of women to lead. Against all odds, she continues to break barriers, inspiring a new generation of women to pursue leadership and fight for their communities.