Interventions That Save Girls From Early Marriage: Halima's Story

Halima,13, lives in Satkhira District with her mother and her maternal uncles. Halima studies in 8th grade at her local high school and enjoys learning. Halima and her mother moved in with her uncles after Halima’s father passed away. In early 2023, when Halima’s mother was away for medical treatment in India, one of Halima’s uncles tried to take advantage of the absence to marry Halima off without her consent.

Without her mother to defend her, Halima turned to a peer group member of the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), Hasib. She explained to him that she did not want to get married and wanted to continue her education instead. Hasib informed the YEP community facilitator (CF) for their area, Rakibul, and he informed the Satkhira Upazila Women Affairs Office (UWAO). An officer from the UWAO informed the secretary of the local Union Parishad and they had Halima’s uncle appear before the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) the very next day. The UNO informed Halima’s uncle that child marriage is a punishable offence and the risks to Halima’s health if the marriage had not been prevented. The UNO also instructed the local law enforcement to keep watch on Halima’s uncle so he did not attempt such action again. The UNO’s swift action on Halima’s behalf inspired the local community and garnered support for local authorities and the YEP.

Halima’s teachers too supported the initiative and are glad she is now continuing school. Halima hopes to gain training on tailoring and start a tailoring business while also pursuing her education. Halima expressed her gratitude to YEP for helping her hope for a better future for herself with her independence intact.