The courage of girls who refuse child marriage in Yemen
In Yemen, many girls are married while they are still children. Some of them find the courage to say no. This article looks at what early marriage takes from a girl, and how the people around her can help.
What child marriage takes away
A girl who marries young often leaves school. She loses time to play, to learn and to grow at her own pace.
She may face pregnancy before her body is ready. She often has little say in the decisions that shape her life.
These harms do not come from one faith or one people. They come from poverty, from pressure and from customs that put a girl's future last.
The courage to say no
When a girl refuses an early marriage, she takes a great risk. She may face anger at home and judgement in her community.
Her courage deserves respect and protection, not blame.
How we can stand with her
- Listen to girls and take their fears seriously.
- Keep girls in school for as long as possible.
- Support families who face hardship, so that marriage is not seen as the only way out.
- Speak up in your community for a minimum age of marriage.
Every girl has the right to a childhood, an education and a choice. Nada Foundation works so that no girl in Yemen has to face this fight alone.