Before her marriage, Alia loved school. She studied while living with relatives in India and continued her education when she returned to Nepal. But when her family began experiencing financial strain, she faced growing pressure to marry. At just 16, she entered a marriage she didn’t want — and soon faced abuse from her husband and his family.

“I wanted to read, but it didn’t happen,” Alia says. “My parents got me married. I didn’t really want to, but everyone said it must be done.”

When her husband abandoned her, Alia found the strength to petition for a divorce. She was free — but unsure how to rebuild her life.

Finding Support and a Way Forward

Around this time, Creative Institute Nepal (CIN) established a Kishori Club and Empowerment Clinic in her community. Alia joined, hesitant but hopeful. She discovered a space where girls could talk openly, learn new skills, and support each other through shared challenges.

In the Empowerment Clinic, Alia learned sewing and cutting — practical skills that gave her stability and opened doors she had not imagined. As she grew more confident, CIN invited her to help train other girls. She also began participating in creative community outreach, including street dramas that spark conversations about girls’ rights and child marriage.

“This program has helped in my leadership development,” she says. “I feel confident now.”

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A Leader in Her Community

Today, Alia is financially independent and uses her experience to support other girls. She speaks with families about the importance of keeping daughters in school and participates in community programs that challenge harmful social norms around early marriage.

She remains active in every initiative she can — from advocacy campaigns to peer discussions — helping girls understand that they have choices and rights, even when circumstances make that feel out of reach.

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A Future of Her Own Making

Alia’s story is one of resilience and determination. She transformed a painful chapter of her life into a source of strength — and now helps others do the same.

In Nepal, where early marriage remains common, programs like CIN’s Empowerment Clinics and Kishori Clubs offer girls hope and possibility. They provide education, life skills, and community support — the foundation girls need to ensure they can determine their own futures.

Alia is proof that when girls are met with opportunity and support instead of barriers and isolation, they don’t just recover — they lead. 

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