Rebecca Lolosoli Biography
Rebecca Lolosoli is the founder and matriarch of the Umoja village, an all-women community in the Samburu County of Kenya. Men are banned from the village as it is a refuge for women fleeing sexual abuse. Additionally, Lolosoli plans to run for local office and will be the first Samburu woman ever to do so.
Rebecca Lolosoli Age|Birthday
Lolosoli was born in 1962. Therefore, she is 60 years old as of 2022. However, Rebecca’s exact date and month of birth are currently unavailable thus it is not known when she celebrates her birthday.
Rebecca Lolosoli Height|Weight
Lolosoli’s height and weight are currently unavailable to the public domain. However, we will update you as soon as Rebecca’s body measurements are available.
Rebecca Lolosoli Family
Lolosoli was born in the village of Wamba, Kenya to her parents. She is one of a family of six sisters and brothers. However, Lolosoli’s parent’s identities are currently under review.
Rebecca Lolosoli Husband
Lolosoli married Fabiano David at the age of 18. Her dowry consisted of 17 cows. In addition, Rebecca created her own business selling goods in the village and stood up for the rights of other women. Unfortunately, she was beaten by our men who took her money when her husband left for business. However, Rebecca left her husband when he did nothing to help her noir object. Moreover, in 1990, together with a few women, she founded the village of Umoja and made it a woman-only space.
Rebecca Lolosoli Education
Lolosoli attended Wamba girls’ primary school. She later enrolled with the Catholic nursing training center. However, Rebecca dropped out 6 months before completion due to a lack of fees.
Rebecca Lolosoli Career
Lolosoli started her own business selling goods in the village and stood up for the rights of other women. Moreover, in 1990, together with a few other women founded the village of Umoja and made it a woman-only space.
Furthermore, in 1995, she was elected by the women of Umoja to chair the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO), an organization for the enhancement of women. Lolosoli held the post for a decade.
Moreover, in 2005, she attended a United Nations conference in New York. Unfortunately, Lolosoli received death threats from local men over her stance on women’s rights just before she went to New York. However, in 2009, her husband attacked Umoja armed with a gun. Moreover, the women were chased out of their home by Fabiana David Lolosoli, (Lolosoli’s husband) who was allegedly looking for Rebecca, who was not at home at the time. Furthermore, Rebecca was awarded the Global Leadership Award from Vital Voices in 2010.
Origin of Rebecca Lolosoli’s commitment to women’s rights
Lolosoli had her cut, a traditional rite practiced in the Samburu region when she was 15. Moreover, she was later sold for 17 cows and forcibly married to an official businessman when she was only 18 years old. Additionally, she narrowly escaped rape by British soldiers at Archer Post military base, a recurrent crime in the region. Her commitment to the feminine cause began then.
Moreover, through the sale of manufactured goods, Lolosoli acquired certain financial independence and thus opposed the patriarchal tradition of the region. Subsequently, Rebecca began to raise the problem of rape at local government meetings which eared her to be severely beaten and robbed by Samburu’s men. Unfortunately, her husband showed disinterest and inaction hence she realized her life was in danger. Rebecca ran away from home and created the village of Umoja in 1991 with the help of 15 other abused women. Additionally, in 2010, she finally obtained the right to divorce marking a turning point in her life.
Umoja village
The village’s creation reserved only for women challenged a tribal system where women could not have land or livestock or access education. According to Rebecca, the town ensures the safety of its members but above all offers possibilities for the future.
Moreover, from the beginning, Lolosoli has held a central place in the village as a democratically elected matriarch. Together with the members of the village, she first sold agricultural products such as corn, and sugar to meet their needs. However, they moved towards other sectors such as the sale of pearl jewelry in the face of the low profits.
Furthermore, to gain land legitimacy against rival villages, economic success made it possible to purchase land for 200,000 shillings. Moreover, they created a museum and a school for the children of Umoja and its surrounding villages with the money raised. In addition, the village has become a tourist destination due to its popularity if the village and its uniqueness in the region. Furthermore, her unusual career and her ongoing fight for the emancipation of women have been very well received internationally.
International activities
From 1995 to 2005, Lolosoli chaired the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO). Moreover, Diane von Furstenberg noticed her on a trip to Kenya four years later and signed her up for Vital Voices, a non-profit organization. The non-profit, non-governmental organization works in collaboration with the main actors of economic, empowerment of women’s political participation, and human rights. Hillary Clinton founded the organization in 1999. Additionally, Lolosoli received a Global Leadership Award in 2010 for her courageous initiative in the fight for women’s rights.
In addition, in 2010, Diane von Furstenberg, a world-famous stylist, presented a spring collection inspired by traditional clothing from the village of Umoja. Moreover, the creations had already been presented during the parade of the DVF Catwalk in 2009. She met Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, at the Women in the World Summit in New York, bringing together the most influential figures in the fight for the recognition of women’s rights.
Furthermore, for her commitment and her fight for women’s rights, she received the GR8! Women Award. This title was awarded to Rebecca along with 17 other women in Dubai on March 7, 2012.
Rebecca Lolosoli Net Worth
Lolosoli’s net worth ranges between $1 million and $5 million.
