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.

Mali : Tenin's testimony

“2 years ago, a neighbor asked my mother for my hand and gave a dowry. The imam married us ... "

GBV: Forced Marriage

#Forced Marriage #GirlNotWife #Rape #PrecoceMarriage #Mali #IDPs

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My name is Tenin and I am 16 years old. My father passed away when I was a child, leaving my mother alone with 4 children. I couldn’t continue school. Our village was attacked several times and we had to flee to the city. The city is filled with armed groups. Life was not easy because we are very poor.

2 years ago, a neighbor asked my mother for my hand in marriage and gave a dowry. The imam married us. I have a 1-year-old baby. Since giving birth, I still had severe pain and could not produce milk. My pain kept me from doing most of the household chores.

My husband was not happy; he often brutalized me and hit me. He eventually divorced me and I had to move back to my mother's house.

My mother was not happy. One day, my neighbor mentioned services for women and children’s welfare. I took advantage of a visit to the health center for my baby to contact the service. After talking with the lady from the NGO, she brought me to a nurse who told me I had a fistula. The NGO helped me convince my mother that I had to do the treatment. They also gave us some cash so that my mother could start a small business. My mom treats me well now. I don’t want to be separated from my mother. The lady calls me often and listens to me. She put me in touch with an association that helped me get back to school. I am grateful and happy now.

71% of women in Mali were married before 18 years old 1. 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.