Although she describes her reach as still growing, she is proud of mentoring girls in schools and within the community and leading campaigns against harmful cultural practices. For her, every conversation and every girl who chooses a different path is a step towards lasting change.
The road has not been easy. Choosing to reject FGM came at a personal cost. She faced hatred, betrayal, and rejection from some members of her own community. She was excluded from community gatherings, called a coward, and told she would never get married because she had refused to undergo FGM. Some people treated her as though she no longer belonged to the Samburu community. Despite this, she refused to give up, believing that standing for what is right is more important than fitting in.
One lesson that continues to guide her work is that everyone has the power to make a firm decision in life. She believes change does not happen overnight but through courage, persistence, and people choosing to do things differently.
What makes Manjeline’s approach unique is her honesty and direct engagement with young people. Through mentorship and dialogue, she encourages girls to believe in themselves while leading by example. As someone who made the difficult decision to reject FGM despite enormous pressure, she understands the importance of showing girls that another path is possible.
She believes in being transparent, respectful, approachable, and a good role model for others. To her, sisterhood is a space where women strengthen one another and work together towards a positive and holistic future. She sees the Sister to Sister Initiative as an opportunity for women leaders to continue learning from one another while building stronger movements for change.
Speaking about the Samburu community, Manjeline explains that girls who do not undergo FGM are often treated as outcasts. Many people believe such girls cannot marry, cannot take up leadership roles within the community, and that even their children should be excluded from important cultural activities. These are the beliefs she is working to change.
Looking ahead, Manjeline dreams of a community free from all forms of gender-based violence. She wants to see girls with high self-esteem, women who are confident enough to defend their rights, and more women taking up leadership and advocacy roles so they can influence change from within their own communities.
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