Girls Leading Our World: Spotlight on Abigael

In March of this year, Abigael was set to join Global G.L.O.W. and seven of her peers from around the world to present at the United Nations in New York City as part of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Abigael recognized that poverty in her community in Kenya was disproportionately affecting girls and women, and designed a plan to help create change. Unfortunately, due to concerns around COVID-19, CSW was cancelled, and Abigael was not able to speak out about this important topic. To ensure her voice is heard, we are sharing her story with you here. This is certainly not the last you will hear of this brave girl.

Watch Abigael’s CSW submission video:

In Her Words: An Update from Abigael

My name is Abigael. I am 13 years old and I live in Njoro, Nakuru County, Kenya. At the moment, a lot of things are happening in my community. For starters, schools have been closed for a month now. There is a lot of anxiety among students, especially those who are waiting to sit for their final exams in order to join universities and high schools.

Tension is high at homes because parents have not been working after the nationwide lockdown and the curfew. Due to this, there have been cases of domestic violence because of stress and depression. Landlords are kicking people out of their homes because they can no longer afford rent.

Furthermore, churches have been closed and children cannot go outside of their houses to play. There is a high need for food and water, especially in slums and fear of infection of the deadly Coronavirus. Rural areas need more sensitization on how to keep safe because when you walk around, life is going on as usual. Above all, farmers are in a tight place because of the locust invasion eating away at their crops and grass for their livestock, spelling disaster for the nations’ food capacity.

It is commendable what the government is doing at the moment by opening online platforms, radio and television stations to educate us kids at home. My concern is for those who are poor and cannot afford television or radio to catch up with their studies as the rest of the well-off kids are doing.

Hope Shines a Light in the Darkness

It is a sad state of affairs, but we believe we shall overcome and things will go back to normal. During my leisure time I like drawing pictures of different things that are interesting. Singing and listening to music is also my hobby, just like reading adventure books and cooking. In this life, I have a lot of future hopes and dreams. I always dream of being an explorer, a business lady, a guitarist, a musician or a psychiatrist. My hopes are to be a successful and rich person in order to help the orphans, sick, needy and aged.

“My wish for girls and women in my community is for every one of them to find their happiness in this world, to be educated on their rights and have freedom to stand up strong.”

I also want them to be empowered and become strong and powerful leaders in this life so as to be an inspiration to everyone.