Somali women, often living as refugees in Kenya, are lured by the promise of a better life into exploitation by Somali men from the diaspora who travel to Kenya on holiday. They go through a religious marriage ceremony and consummate the marriage, before the men eventually return to their families in Europe and America. Their new brides are abandoned, often pregnant, and left without any financial means to take care of themselves and their children. The practice is known as “vacation marriage” and is a well-known secret within Somali communities. Is there a difference between these sham marriages and sex tourism? 

The women, having lost their virginity and thus their dignity and honor, end up shunned from their communities and little chance of getting remarried. More than a dozen women report cases of exploitation to the police chief in the Nairobi suburb of Eastleigh every day. What are the consequences for these women in a culture where marriage traditionally has provided some level of socioeconomic security? 

Anisa Hajimumin, politician, social activist and writer. Hajimumin is the former Minister of Women’s Development and Family Affairs in Puntland

Asad Quasim, teacher and commentator

Lul Kulmiye, co-founder of the Somali Gender Equity Movement

Warsan Ismail will be the moderator. Ismail is a board member of The Norwegian Council for Africa, a commentator and writer.