Forced Child Marriage In Yemen: 11-Year-Old Girl Who Ran Away From Parents Home Speaks 11-Year-Old Girl Who Ran Away From Parents Home In Yemen Speaks “I’ll Rather Die Than Engage In Child Marriage” Her name isNada Al-Ahdal, an 11-year-oldgirlfromYemen. She recently ran away from her parents house over a plan toforceher into anarranged marriageat such an early age. In a YouTube video uploaded on the 8th of July, 2013, Nada said; “They told me that I am engaged, and that my fiancé had already paid them money and brought the engagement ring. They said that I couldn’t leave and even threatened to kill meif I went back to my uncle. I’m not an item forsale, I’m a human being and I would rather die than get married at this age. I’ve decided that I have two choices: to leave or to die. So Ichose the first” According to her, the only person that could rescue her in this situation is her maternal uncle who is againstchild bride. Hear what her uncle said to reporters; When I heard about the groom, I panicked. Nada was not even 11 years old; she was exactly 10 years and 3 months. I could not allow her to be married off and have her future destroyed, especially since her aunt was forced to marry at 13 and burnt herself. Idid all I could to prevent that marriage. I called the groom and told him Nada was no good for him. I told him she did not wear the veil and he asked if things were going to remain like that. I said ‘yes, and I agree because she chose it. I also told him that she liked singing and asked if he would remain engaged to her.’ She now stays with her uncle who is anti-forced marriage. In 2010, we learnt over 25% of Yemen females were forced to marry before reaching age 15. This is as a result of the poverty level in the country. Parents often give out their daughters to make a living. What a life!
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 06:59:33 +0000
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