Weaving Her Own Destiny: How Emilienne Found Support and Strength 

Across West Africa, tradition and personal dreams often collide—especially for young women. At just 17, Emilienne found herself caught in that divide. Living in Burkina Faso, her family tried to force her into marriage with a man she hadn’t chosen. But thanks to the Ensemble initiative and the local partner Association d’Appui et d’Eveil Pugsada (ADEP), Emilienne’s story became one of resilience, hope, and new beginnings.   

A Safe Haven 

Emilienne had long attended awareness-raising sessions at the Kalgodin Center run by ADEP. These sessions taught her about her rights and the power to say no. When the threat of a forced marriage became real, she knew exactly where to turn.  

“I turned to ADEP when my family tried to force marriage. The center staff took immediate action, calling my aunt and uncle to intervene,” she recalls. “They protected me. I was allowed to stay at the ADEP center, and I did not have to marry the man.” 

The center became more than just a shelter—it became her refuge and launching pad to reclaim her life.  

More Than Shelter—A Second Chance at Childhood 

At ADEP, Emilienne found more than protection. She found community, friendship, and a sense of purpose.  

“I did everything there—ate, slept, played, and met other girls just like me.”  

Through vocational training programs rooted in Ensemble’s survivor-centered approach, Emilienne learned practical skills that would help her gain economic freedom. She explored traditional trades such as cooking, weaving, and hairstyling, and discovered a passion for weaving.  

Today, Emilienne proudly weaves and sells Faso Dan Fani, the iconic traditional cloth of Burkina Faso.  

“I’m 17 and a half now. Life at home has improved. I’m happy,” she says. 

Looking Ahead with Hope 

Emilienne now looks ahead to the future with hope and confidence. 

“One day, I’ll marry a boy I like,” she says with a shy but determined smile. “Thank you to the Ensemble initiative that has helped me.” 

Emilienne’s journey reminds us of Ensemble’s mission: when girls are supported, protected, and empowered, they don’t just survive—they thrive. 

And one by one, they are weaving a new future, not only for themselves but for their communities. 

Thank you to Marie-Jocelyne Kangah and Kate Tibone for sharing Emilienne’s story. 

EngenderHealth led the Ensemble initiative, from 2022 to 2025, addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in five countries in West and Central Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Mali. Ensemble means “together” in French, and we designed this program with the understanding that by working together, our impact will be greater than the sum of our individual efforts. To that end, we collaborated with governments, civil society organizations, and other national and regional stakeholders in West and Central Africa to support local actions to prevent, respond to, and ultimately eliminate GBV. Critically, Ensemble placed women in the lead; the project was co-designed with local organizations run by and representing GBV survivors, youth, and women.  

Want to support more projects like this one? Discover how EngenderHealth and local organizations are addressing GBV: Read more.