Breaking Barriers: Martina’s Rise At 58
Before joining the WFP and IST trainings, my family life was filled with violence and unrest. We were known in our community for drunkenness. My husband would often sell our family cows and spend all the money at local breweries. When he returned home, he would demand food, leaving nothing to support the household. Every time I told him there was no food, it would lead to fights. Our family was falling apart, and there was no understanding or peace in our home.
When we attended the couples’ training, we both learned about the struggles women face, and my husband began to realize that his actions were wrong. After returning home, I finally found the courage to share with him what I had held in my heart for more than five years. I opened up completely, and to my relief, he listened. Today, whenever he sells a cow, he informs me first, and we discuss together how to use the money as a couple. Our decisions are now shared, and we work together as partners.
As a family, we began holding joint family planning meetings with our children, ensuring that everyone’s voice was heard and decisions were made together. The second training I attended was a leadership training for women. At 58 years old, I had never believed that women could be leaders. I never imagined that I could have a voice or the confidence to take on a leadership role, thinking that leadership was only for men.
After the training, everything changed. I gained the courage to contest for the position of Parish Councilor of Kokoria, running against five men under the NRM flag. I won the election, and I credit WFP and IST for giving me the confidence to believe in myself and step into leadership.
I am requesting the offices of IST and WFP to continue supporting women like me, helping them overcome shyness and believe in their potential. I never imagined that at the age of 58, I could step into a leadership role but with their guidance, I realized that women too can lead and make a difference.
