Charity Resian fought what felt like an impossible fight. Born into the Maasai tribe in Kenya, as the firstborn girl in her family, she enjoyed life through the lens of a rich culture anchored in tradition and community. Though many girls in her community were not afforded the opportunity of education, Resian was able to attend school. Believing that the cultural norms and rites of passage were a badge of honor as she journeyed toward womanhood, her life drastically changed when she watched a documentary that exposed the extreme danger of female genital mutilation (FGM). Knowing that this cultural practice could cause extreme physical pain, a myriad of reproductive health issues, and even death from hemorrhaging, she took a stand that she believed would enlighten her community.
Conversely, she was met with denial and rejection. Over four years, starting at age 16, she felt the weight of alienation, family turmoil, and stigma. She speaks of this as being the lowest point of her life; she was depressed, suicidal, and even had to leave her home for a time. Finally, after four dark years, she found a lifeline through a teacher. This encounter enabled her to find the words to express to her father the anger she felt deep within. By refusing to undergo FGM, Resian bucked a cutural norm that is steeped in gender roles and social identity. But, this became not just her story, but her father’s and mother’s story, too. Through transparency and forgiveness, they, as a family, came to terms with challenging this practice in the culture that they all loved very much. She rose from the depths of despair, doubled down and became a voice for hundreds of other girls, even her own siblings and cousins. She founded Resian’s Dream, her own nonprofit, to empower girls towards formal education. She advocates against child marriage and FGM. On Nov. 16, as a Black Lens and Northwest Passages event, Resian shared her story and ways to support this cause after a special screening of the documentary “Against All Odds” which will be available to a larger audience in the future.