The association founded by Marie-Claire Koulibaly is named after a flower that symbolizes passion, the ardent desire for love, and also perseverance. By choosing this flower as the name and emblem of the association, the aim was to tell women that they too have the right to desire and enjoy sexuality. “Rebuilding after excision is like a flower that is cut and blooms again beautifully,” says Marie-Claire Koulibaly, who herself was a victim of excision at just 9 years old.
“To support women who are victims of excision and/or forced marriage, we must first understand the anthropological and intercultural aspects of these issues,” explains the founder of Les Orchidées rouges. “We start from the representation of what the person has endured to work with her, with personalized support, co-constructed with each of these women. There are as many journeys as there are women.”
A journey that will allow them to reclaim their bodies and sexuality by developing a nurturing relationship with themselves, as well as an empowering agency that will come through building self-esteem, leading to socio-professional integration.
“Beyond healing wounds, we want the mental liberation of women to build a life that aligns with their deepest aspirations,” insists Marie-Claire Koulibaly, “which requires deconstructing the negativity instilled since early childhood and reconstructing the positive.”
“The body is not an object of torture but an object of well-being, beauty, self-realization, and also a stance in society and economic liberation, in order to become the master of one's destiny,” she concludes.
