In brief
Michelle Lemuya Ikeny's portrayal of a schoolgirl escaping child marriage sparks vital discussions in Turkana, Kenya.
In a powerful new film, 15-year-old actress Michelle Lemuya Ikeny takes on the heartbreaking yet all-too-common issue of child marriage, a cultural practice prevalent in her own community of Turkana County, Kenya. By portraying the character of Nawi, a 13-year-old girl forced to marry an older man, Ikeny aims to initiate critical conversations around this sensitive topic."I want the movie to spark conversations about this topic because it's really not something people want to talk about," Ikeny states. Her commitment to creating awareness comes from a deeply personal place, as she has seen her peers suffer the consequences of early marriage. The film, which focuses on Nawi's struggle to reclaim her dreams and pursue education in Nairobi, highlights the harsh realities faced by one in four girls in Turkana who marry before turning 18, despite the legal age being set at 18 according to Kenya's 2014 Marriage Act. Ikeny, who had never acted before filming, believes sharing this story is crucial. "When you watch the movie, try to put yourself in the shoes of Nawi," she urges, emphasizing the dreams many young girls have that often get stripped away through forced marriages. The heartfelt narrative, penned by Milcah Cherotich, draws from her own experiences as she witnessed her sister being married off at an early age, losing her individuality and facing devastating consequences.Cherotich acknowledges that there could be backlash for shedding light on child marriage in Turkana but remains hopeful for change. She already witnessed a shift in perspective when her uncle, a supporter of child marriage, became emotional after screening the film. "I realized the importance of storytelling," she shared. The issue of child marriage extends beyond Kenya, with sub-Saharan Africa holding the highest risk globally. While there has been a decline in child marriage rates, the pace of change remains insufficient to meet the UN's deadline of abolishing child marriage by 2030.Directors of the film have made it their mission to ensure the message reaches audiences by organizing screenings, particularly aimed at young people and community elders. They have established a new school for girls in Turkana, providing free education and meals, further contributing to the cause.As they continue to promote "Nawi," Ikeny expresses her hope this film will ignite broader conversations about the rights of young girls. Through storytelling, awareness can grow, and in turn, lives can be transformed.
