Breaking boundaries: Meet Pate woman whose life story is transforming a village

In 2003, she was the only woman to join secondary school in the small island of Pate, in Lamu.

Most of the girls who had sat for the same Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCPE) exams had ended up being married, as was the norm on the island at the time.

That was 20 years ago.

Tashrifa Bakari was just a little girl with an innocent desire to acquire education.

At the time, the community did not value women's empowerment and, thus, did not put effort into educating girls.

Instead, girls were molded to be housewives and babysitters, and they did not have professional pursuits.

Today, however, Tashrifa, now 33 years old, has become an inspiration in the island.

She is now the Lamu County Committee Member serving as the CECM for Lands, Physical Planning, Urban Development, Natural Resources, Infrastructure, and Public Works.

She is one of two female members in the county cabinet.

Tashrifa has been quite passionate about girl child empowerment, something she championed for after completing her O-level education at the Lamu Girls Secondary School in 2006.

She would later join the Mombasa Aviation for a Diploma in Air Ticketing before proceeding to Pwani University for a BSc in Sociology and Ecology, which she completed in 2016. Tashrifa is currently pursuing her master's in Sociology at the same university.

''It was not easy for me to reach where I am today. I can say it’s God because when I look back it wasn't an easy journey. I struggled and fought against many odds,” she says.

“I pray that in the near future, Pate will have many girls graduating in different professions. That is my dream In sha'Allah,” says Tashrifa who wants to see many Bajuni women rise.

She has become a role model for many on the island. The culture of women being married after sitting their KCPE examination is gradually diminishing.

Many parents are now working to ensure their daughters go to school, and the presence of Pate Girls Secondary School has significantly impacted girl child education on the island.

Tashrifa's story demonstrates the power of education and how it can transform lives in different communities.