My Story
What happened to me should not happen to anyone else. Sadly, forced marriages continue to happen and no place is immune to them. This doesn't just happen in India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and some African countries, etc. It happens all over the world! My story is the story of thousands of others, and until we speak up and share our stories, nothing will change. Awareness needs to be spread about these atrocities which are inflicted on so many. No one should be forced to marry a stranger and be put into danger!
The Engagement
At 14, my future was planned; engaged without a word. I wanted romance, not a forced marriage. My education was sacrificed for it.
My Escape
At the age of 18, I tried to escape the forced marriage by running away, but was tricked into coming back.
The Forced Marriage
Despite my efforts to escape, I was forced to marry the boy in Denmark.
My Second (and Final) Escape
I managed to escape the abusive marriage and found my freedom.
My Current Pursuits
Now living in the U.S., I use my voice to raise awareness of issues such as forced and child marriage. I wrote a memoir about my experience, Forced to Marry Him: A Lifetime of Tradition and the Will to Break It, to expose the harm that is done to women all over the world in the name of tradition.
