Eunice Marima
Eunice Marima has just set a new precedent. She is from a deeply patriarchal tradition that usually keeps African pastoralist women in the home. But she has now won a groundbreaking victory to become the first head of a Council that will work to maintain peace and security among pastoralist tribes across Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda.
Years of political, social and economic marginalisation, increasingly scarce resources and the ravages of extreme weather conditions brought on by climate change have caused conflicts to flare between the nomadic tribes in this part of Africa. The Interim Regional Council, made up of 13 pastoralist elders from the four countries will lobby their governments on behalf of pastoralists, and work to maintain peace between tribes. It’s a tough call, and she won by just one vote.
Determined to succeed
But facing challenges is nothing new for Marima. The daughter of a polygamist from the Maasai region of Kenya, her mother died when she was still a child. It was down to her own determination that she was the only one of 17 children to go to school.
At 13, her father wanted to marry her off. To avoid female genital mutilation or any alternative rights of passage that would make her ready for marriage, she ran away to missionary school in Kajaro, Kenya. After her father refused to pay for secondary school, the missionaries campaigned and the county council eventually paid.
Since then, education for Maasai women and girls has become Marima’s lifetime campaign. She attended a UN forum in 1985 and came back to form the Sopa Reto Education Trust (SRET), which works to promote female child education and empower women. Emphasises Marima: ‘The thing that will set women free is education.’
Changing society, helping women
‘Our own culture has not accepted women leaders.’In leading the council, Marima admits her biggest challenge lies close to home, saying: ‘Our own culture has not accepted women leaders.’ But despite this, Marima knows she is the right person for the job. She has worked as a journalist for the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and for international NGO World Vision. She holds two diplomas - in Public Relations and Communication and in Law. She says, ‘This council will work across four countries. It is challenging for a woman but it is the right time for me.’
Her new role will also further her work for women. Marima’s background has made her acutely aware of the unique ways which women, as providers of food and water for the family, are affected by conflict, and the unique role they can therefore play in conflict resolution. She says, 'I aim to encourage women to wake up to leadership and encourage men not to constrict them. When I can see some replicas of me, I can say, "Lord I have done my part."'
Update!
With MRG support the Second Regional Conference for Pastoralist Elders was held in August 2007 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ten Elders were elected to replace the Interim Regional Elders Council members and serve as members of the permanent Regional Pastoralist Elders Council for the next 3 years. The new leader of the Council is Dr. Hon Wako.
The Interim Regional Council is supported by MRG and the Pastoralist Forum of Ethiopia, who have also provided participants with training in modern conflict resolution skills as part of MRG’s Pastoralists Programme. Interview by Preti Taneja.
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