A 15-year-old girl was once part of the vast number of child brides worldwide before she escaped the severe sexual abuse inflicted by a 35-year-old man.
Hailing from a family of six in Tanzania, Latifa was forced into marriage at the young age of 15, where she had to share a bed with a stranger. Despite her love for education, especially in science and physics, she often went to bed hungry and only ate twice a day.
Expressing her ambition to become a doctor, Latifa shared her dreams with Plan International, emphasizing her passion for helping sick children. Unfortunately, her aspirations were shattered when her father informed her that she was being married off to a man named Salum.
Salum took Latifa to the capital city, Dar es Salaam, where he subjected her to emotional and physical abuse. Forced to do household chores and endure sexual exploitation, Latifa’s days were filled with sorrow and loneliness.
After giving birth to a baby girl following a traumatic delivery, Salum abandoned Latifa, leaving her homeless with her infant. Fortunately, she was later taken in by a woman named Happy, who provided her with shelter and support.
Currently, Latifa is striving to build a better life for herself and her daughter. Through Plan International’s community savings program, she is securing her own income and hopes to ensure a brighter future for her child, free from the hardships she endured.