“A woman should lower her gaze and be silent.” “Culture and honor are more important than your own happiness. Make everyone proud.” Somewhere deep inside me, these recurrent unsolicited words of advice still remain. In Niger, my home country, being a girl was unenjoyable. Between my worried mother and the dangerous city, I had no choice but to spend most of my days locked up at home.
In primary school, I was made fun of because of my Tuareg minority status and my weight. In middle school, they insulted me for being a girl who was academically smart. By high school, my ears were already used to phrases like “white cow” and snarky comments like “light- skinned Tuaregs are dirty rapists and thieves.” I did not understand where that hate came from, but it was clear that I was not welcomed. Eventually, I started laughing at my own identity, too.
During my last years of high school, I finally got the chance to step outside the cage I called home. I applied to the United World College and was selected to study in New Mexico, USA. I met fellow peers from all corners of the world and found parts of my identity that I was afraid to show back home. I was told that my voice, feelings, and dreams matter. My horizons were pushed further and further. I learned about other women, other identities, and more about the beautiful mosaic pieces that make up life.
Leaving home made me feel even more connected with my home. I am still an immensely proud Tuareg. I am also a proud Nigerien. Now, I want to actively teach people about us. We are tired of being confused for Nigeria and depicted as a dangerous country. I admit that my beautiful country has a multitude of issues, but my dream to show the world our immense potential is far greater than the nightmares that have plagued my home.
Also, I recognize the many misconceptions that Nigeriens have about the rest of the world. These include the role of women in society, diversity, globalization, and much more. I believe that such misconceptions can be best dispelled through education and more interactions with the global community, which is precisely what I dream of bringing to my home. My biggest dream is to open a school that teaches academics while bringing together different perspectives. When my dream comes true, girls in Niger will be more empowered, opening many doors for our development as a whole.
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