Asiya, Ethiopia

In the past there was very little access to education for girls – parents were suspicious to send their daughters to school for fear of unwanted pregnancies or kidnapping outside of the family home.

 

My father had four wives. Three of his wives were from the same background but my mother was from a different community. She received religious teaching from her family but regretted not being able to get a modern education, so wanted better for her children. My father didn’t want us to go to school, which created conflict between them.

 

In the end my mother divorced my father as she wanted her five children to be educated. She started her own business running a cafeteria, to support us through school. Due to the sacrifices she made, all of us were able to get degrees which was a great achievement.

 

I feel very lucky to have received the education I have and to be able to give my daughters the same in the future. I am so proud of my mother’s strength. We wouldn’t be where we are today without her – she is a wonderful example of how, if women have the power to decide their own fate, they can achieve anything!

 

Asiya Juneidi, 30

Women’s Affairs Office – Itaya

 

© Asiya Juneidi / EMRDA / ODI / PhotoVoice

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