HOW I GOT HERE

Talatu Aminu Salihu, social empowerment officer for Women for Women International Nigeria, on how she achieved a successful career

Women for Women’s Talatu Aminu Salihu

Talatu Aminu Salihu has fought tirelessly to get where she is today. Growing up in Nigeria, she was raised in a traditional family, in which girls typically marry young and educating women is seen as ‘a waste of resources’. But with courage, resolve and fierce determination, she bucked societal expectations by going to university before being employed by Women for Women International, an organisation that helps marginalised women in war-torn and post-conflict countries.

I WAS 15 WHEN MY PARENTS TOLD ME TO GET MARRIED.

My dream was to be educated, become a newscaster and earn an income. I wanted to have freedom of speech and movement, live free from violence and have a good standard of living. However, after primary school, my parents no longer supported my education.

I WENT AGAINST MY PARENTS’ WISHES, BUT I STRUGGLED TO SURVIVE IN SUCH A DIFFICULT SYSTEM. My mother and I experienced severe pressure from my uncles and other relatives to give in to their demands and for me to get married. She became worried, burdened and frustrated, and I became depressed. Committed to completing my secondary school education, I had to hawk local cheese after school to pay for my school fees.

WHEN I FINISHED SCHOOL, I MARRIED A LAWYER, ON WHOM I DEPENDED FOR EVERYTHING.

After I gave birth to a beautiful daughter, he told me that if I gave birth to another girl, he would marry a second wife or divorce me. However, unfortunately, in 1997, my husband died. I moved back in with my parents and was advised to remarry, but I refused.

MY RELATIVES TOLD ME THERE WAS NO POINT PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION.

They were convinced it was a waste of time because I’d never find a job. However, yearning for independence, I ignored them and, in 1998, I started a five-year part-time course in economics education at the University of Jos in Nigeria. My mother looked after my daughter and I supported myself financially with funds I raised selling traditional steamed bean pudding (or moimoi).

MY DECISION TO STUDY WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY EVERYONE.

As I had refused to remarry, I was regarded as rebelling against my religion and culture, so was shunned by much of the community. Thankfully, my mother eventually agreed that my choice to go to university would improve my life and give me more future opportunities.

COMPLETING MY DEGREE IN 2002 WAS ONE OF THE PROUDEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE.

‘MY PARENTS NO LONGER SUPPORTED MY EDUCATION’

I knew then that I wanted to liberate other women from harmful cultural practices and help them become economically and socially independent.

TWO WEEKS AFTER MY GRADUATION, I STARTED AT WOMEN FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL.

I found out about the organisation through a friend and successfully applied for a role as a ‘field officer’, helping support its 12-month programme for women in marginalised communities. The programme builds women’s self-reliance in four key areas: earning and savings, rights and decision-making, health and wellness, and support networks. Participants receive vocational training and are supported to start small businesses, build networks and take on leadership roles in their communities. The work is incredibly rewarding.

IN 2003, I WAS PROMOTED TO MY CURRENT ROLE AS SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT OFFICER.

When the organisation identifies and enters a new community, I run sessions about the programme with local women, explaining what we do and encouraging them to enrol. I also regularly meet local leaders, community groups and partner organisations – good relations with the wider community are vital to the effective continuation of our work.

WITH DETERMINATION, RESILIENCE AND HARD WORK,

it’s possible to overcome obstacles and achieve whatever you set your mind to.