ABOUT GBV WEST AFRICA EXPOSED

The following testimonies were shared by refugees, internally displaced persons and other persons of concern to UNHCR across the West and Central Africa Region. All stories were collected with their informed consent. Their first names as well as their country of origin have been changed. The photos are illustrative.

Burkina Faso: Ariette’s testimony

"My father decided to give me in marriage to a trader. Every night he hits me and has forced sex with me..."

GBV: Forced marriage / Denial of resources, opportunities or services / Rape

#ForcedMarriage #Stroke
#Rape #GirlNotWife

Let's break the silence
Share this story

My name is Ariette, a 17-year-old teenage girl. My family and I fled the attacks in our village a year ago and we moved to an IDP site.

My father had lost all his cattle and we found ourselves without resources. It had become difficult for the family to find food. My mother and I go to wash the clothes of a family in the host community to earn 1000 francs to buy food for the family.

Given these conditions, my father decided to give me in marriage to a 65-year-old trader who already has 3 other wives. I did not agree to this marriage, but my father threatened to ban me if I refused this marriage.

One evening, I decided to run away to hide in the parish. The religious sisters of the parish took me to see the psychologist who works with an NGO, a partner of UNHCR. I had three sessions with him and he also sent me to the hospital for treatment. I couldn’t go back to my family because my father told me that I will no longer be his daughter. I told the sisters that I wanted to continue my studies. With the help of this NGO and UNHCR, the sisters sent me to the rehabilitation center for young girls in the city. This center is also managed by the nuns. I started weaving training and enrolled again in school, in fifth grade. I am very happy to pursue my dream of continuing my studies.

Child marriage seriously damages their health and exposes them to violence in their homes. 6 out of 10 countries in the world with the highest rates of child marriage are in West and Central Africa (Source: UNICEF / Plan). Protect our children and end child marriage.

ABOUT GBV WEST AFRICA EXPOSED

The following testimonies were shared by refugees, internally displaced persons and other persons of concern to UNHCR across the West and Central Africa Region. All stories were collected with their informed consent. Their first names as well as their country of origin have been changed. The photos are illustrative.