Years of Shame Audiobook

Incredible stories of subjugation and marginalization of women from infancy to old age.

The first story is about an infant who is unwanted by her mother. The infant’s aunt, Njana, is horrified when she learns of this. And yet, Njana envies her niece because she is born in the mid-1970s. This means the niece won’t be subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) like Njana was before she turned 14 in the 1960s.

The second story is about Njana’s trauma sanctioned by her parents, the very people who are supposed to protect her from harm. The story is set in Kenya and later in California. Njana discloses, for the first time, how she suffered FGM in the backwoods of Kenya. She tells of her turmoil before the operation, the actual operation, and the effects of the operation. Her main concern is not physical or medical issues. Psychological trauma is Njana’s biggest challenge. Besides tainting other areas of her life, the secrecy and shame have devastated her hence the years of shame as she struggles to find relief.

The third and final story is titled “The Golden Years.” It’s about bedroom challenges that women face in their older years. It’s based on two couples’ marriages – one in San Diego and the other in Nairobi.