This archive report was first published on 8 September 2019.
Published on September 8, 2019, Misky Hajji's debut poetry collection, 'Reset', is a powerful reflection of her experiences growing up in North Eastern Kenya.
At just 19 years old, Hajji has already made a name for herself as a budding poet, and her book launch is one of her biggest accomplishments in life.
The collection of poems generally addresses the political, social, and economic life of communities living in North Eastern Kenya, with many of the poems directly speaking to young girls in her community.
According to Hajji, her 'little' achievement should inspire young girls to 'reset their minds' and know that they can be anything they want to be in life.
She says growing up in North Eastern Kenya as a girl child is very challenging because most of the community's important life decisions are made on their behalf by male family members and clan elders.
In one of her poems, 'Clanism Something to Relay on?', Hajji addresses the injustices women in her community face, asking if clanism is the best way to make important decisions in society.
She also points out that women are seen as inferior and are often afraid to speak out against injustices, fearing being cursed by the elders.
Hajji's writing journey began at a young age, and she has already completed two more books, which she plans to publish soon.
Her dream is to see a society where women are appreciated and valued for who they are, and she hopes to achieve this through her writing and future career as a lawyer.
