I was forced to marry when I was 15. I do not know how old my husband was when I married him, but he was old and I was a child.
When my parents died, my aunt took care of me and helped me with my education. But after a short while she told me she couldn’t help me because her own children were also going to school. A man who was already married asked my aunt if he could marry me. I tried to resist, but to no avail.
Family life was very hard for me. He was cruel. He often beat me.
My son is 4 years old and his name is Tamandani. At the moment I live quite a hard life because I receive little money. I’m not happy because I lack things I need in life. I am unable to take care of myself and my son. It has been my dream since I was young to be a journalist. I really admire when they speak on the radio. I am really envious of how they visit different places to tell stories. I still dream of the job I’ve wanted for a long time. It is my dream to be an empowered woman.
Narrative and image provided by Girls Not Brides. Original video ‘The Child Within’ by Camfed.
