ABYSSAL SCARS
Hers was not the case of a dashed dream but a traumatic future. Despite being successful at her age and achieving major milestones in her life before she was 27, she still felt empty. She glanced at the mail she had just received notifying her of her recent nomination for the “Top African Female Entrepreneurial […]
BLADE
Imagine a swamp so vast, you cannot make out its end with your naked eye. First, picture a young girl, 13 years old. I want you to be her conscience – the eyes of her soul. Imagine her arduous escape from the only place she’s ever known, into the darkness, through the swamp and away […]
My Granny’s Boldness
“But do you think commiting suicide is ever an option” says Monka” “What is the point of living in such a cruel world in which nobody seems to be kindhearted” i replied. “I have been telling you times without number that our case is in the ministry of humanitarian affairs. Soon they will arrive to […]
Why Female Genital Mutilation?
“You sounded so excited over the phone, what’s the good news” Tess asked. I smiled. “At least, have a seat” Rita replied. Tess sat and waited anxiously for Rita to share the good news she had. She hoped Rita wasn’t playing tricks on her because she left everything she had to do at home when […]
RIPPED OFF
RIPPED OFF My blurry eyes opened slightly and were welcomed with the sight of red clothes tied on chairs. The room exuded a choking scent of an ointment that caused a lump to form on my throat. A cloth stained with blood lay carelessly on the floor and I saw my mother with my grandma […]
The Voice of One Who Turned
The feelings of sadness in the room were palpable. It was almost as if you could touch it and quantify it for what it was worth. But as I lifted my head to see him, he seemed calm. He didn’t have a smile on, I mean, who would? But his face wasn’t sullen either. He […]
Adeise a story of violation
ADEISE Wandering through the deep forest, a shrill cry echoed in the mist as I ran as fast as my legs could carry me with my sister held up close to my chest, tears rolling down her eyes with my hands over her mouth I could feel the heat from her breath and the shivering […]
ALAO
The year is 2050. The future is here. And the future is female. Beyonce’s renowned ‘Run The World’ is no longer just a song. It’s an anthem. We are literally seconds away from history being made. I’m even more thrilled because my grand-daughter, (whose eyes are also glued to the television screen), is here to […]
IT IS HIGH TIME THE MADNESS STOPPED!
Each year, around 4 million girls worldwide are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM), with most girls cut before the age of 15. (www.unicef.org) I held my breath as I read through the article, imagining the estimate. I was so engrossed that I failed to notice grandma’s entrance into my room— she visited […]
The day of pain
The day after the first rain but I call it the day of pain how can I wait in vain when I know this cup will never pass me by I could hear the other girls scream.’oh my’! Am I going to die? I heard the horn Alas it was my turn In my stomach […]