Today, I’m going to take you back to a story we published back in 2018 on domestic violence. I remember interviewing Mary Wanjiku Gichuhi and being amazed at her strength and courage as she shared the harrowing details of her story.
We often have preconceived ideas about women who find themselves in abusive relationships. Maybe we think they didn’t have access to a good education or are vulnerable because they are economically disadvantaged.
Mary was neither.
She was a well-known accomplished woman making a name for herself in her home country of Kenya as a mental health advocate. In fact, she was the founder of Depression and Stress Society, an organization that was actively creating awareness on mental health. She was also pursuing an PhD at the University of Nairobi. But no one knew about the private battle she faced at home. She took drastic measures to protect herself and her unborn son.
“I was tired of all the threats and the beatings. I didn’t tell anyone I was leaving. I booked a flight and left. I didn’t care about the consequences. All I wanted was to be safe, and I believed that fleeing Kenya was the first step to me being safe. I’m sure that if I had stayed, my baby and I would not have survived.”
Mary Wanjiku Gichuhi
Today, Mary is a published author with several books to her name. She is also a motivational speaker and is an inspiration to survivors of domestic violence. Her impact has been recognized by notable organizations in Europe and beyond.
Mary’s story is a reminder that:
- abuse can happen to anyone.
- sometimes we must take extreme measures to remove ourselves from unhealthy situations.
- there is so much more waiting for you on the other side of your pain.
If you haven’t read Mary’s story, you can read it here.
Vimbai E. is a content marketer, ghostwriter, and the founder of The Weight She Carries. With hundreds of articles and stories publishing online, in print and for broadcast, her love of language and storytelling shines through every piece of writing that bears her name.