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How I Fought to Save Myself, My Sister, and Thousands of Girls Worldwide

Lord Byron

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Published in The Girls In The Wild Fig Tree: How I Fought To Save Myself My Sister And Thousands Of Girls Worldwide

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As a young girl growing up in India, I was promised in marriage to a man who was more than twice my age. I was terrified and didn't know what to do. But I knew that I had to find a way out.

The Girls in the Wild Fig Tree: How I Fought to Save Myself, My Sister, and Thousands of Girls Worldwide

by Nice Leng'ete

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	22386 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	241 pages

I started by talking to my parents and begging them to let me go. But they refused. They said that it was my duty to marry the man they had chosen for me.

I was desperate. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life with a man I didn't love. I wanted to go to school, get a job, and make something of my life.

So I ran away. I went to a nearby town and found a job as a maid. I worked hard and saved my money. I also started going to school at night.

One day, I met a woman who told me about a group that was fighting to end child marriage. I joined the group and started working with them to raise awareness of the issue.

We went to schools and villages, talking to parents and children about the dangers of child marriage. We also lobbied the government to change the laws on child marriage.

Our work was slow and difficult, but we never gave up. We knew that we were making a difference. We were helping to save girls from a life of misery.

In 2017, the Indian government finally passed a law raising the legal age of marriage for girls to 18. This was a major victory for our movement.

I am now married to a man I love. We have two beautiful children. I am grateful for the opportunity to have a life of my own choosing.

I have dedicated my life to fighting child marriage. I want to make sure that no other girl has to go through what I went through.

I believe that all girls have the right to a life free from violence and exploitation. I will continue to fight until every girl is free.

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**Alt attribute for image:** A young girl standing in front of a group of other girls, all of whom are smiling and holding hands. The girl in the front is holding a book.

The Girls in the Wild Fig Tree: How I Fought to Save Myself, My Sister, and Thousands of Girls Worldwide

by Nice Leng'ete

4.7 out of 5