In VOW’s work to end child marriage, we have found that often those who have been at risk of child marriage are some of the most passionate advocates for other girls. One of the fiercest allies we have come across is a young woman named Fatouma. Now 21, she was just 12 years old when her mother tried to marry her off as a way to ease the family’s financial burden after her father’s death.

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“I asked her to let me continue going to school, but she refused,” said Fatouma. With no other option available, Fatouma dropped out of school and left home to avoid child marriage. Luckily, her grandmother stepped in and helped her get involved with a local organization that VOW funds called Agir Plus. They support girls forced to leave school by helping them build skills that will allow them to support themselves.

Today, Fatouma works for the very organization that helped her escape child marriage. In addition to working directly with the young women in the program, she engages with local mothers to educate them on the benefits of letting their daughters decide about marriage for themselves.
“When I hear a girl is going to be married, I intervene. I go to the parents and make sure they know about the dangers of marrying off little girls.” To date, Fatouma has prevented more than a dozen child marriages.

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VOW funding not only helps to prevent child marriage, it is helping to create a generation of young girls’ who feel empowered to own their future. Young women like Fatouma, who are unafraid to use their voice and willing to pay it forward, will help us end child marriage in our lifetime.

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