Umoja

ARTE / SWR

In the middle of one of the most misogynistic regions in the world, there is a place where only women call the shots: Umoja in Kenya. The name is no coincidence: Umoja means 'solidarity' in Swahili. The women who live here stand together against the patriarchy of their tribe: the Samburu are ruled by men. But they have no access to Umoja. For Jane Lengo'pe, Umoja is her home, the 48 women her family. That is also what she wants for Nairiamu Ledokode, the new girl in the village. The 37-year-old fled from her violent husband.