Globally, one in every five girls is married while she is still a child. 

Child marriage threaten’s girls’ childhoods, health—both physically and mentally, and their access to education. And yet, many parents feel it is their only option.

Jesmin, a mother in Bangladesh, once felt this way. Her daughter, Keya, was struggling in school, and without money for a tutor, Jesmin couldn't find a path forward. With no other options in sight, marriage seemed like the only answer to secure her daughter’s future. It would give her something meaningful to do—be a wife and mother—and a husband to feed and clothe her. A win-win, right?

And yet, Jesmin knew that pulling her teenage daughter out of school and marrying her to an older man could expose her to domestic violence, as well as physical and mental distress.

For millions of moms trapped in poverty like Jesmin, poverty leaves them with no real choice.. On top of the crushing weight of poverty, parents experience cultural and religious pressures to marry off their daughters. It feels almost impossible to say “No!” to child marriage.

The truth is, Keya is still a child, she cannot be a wife!

And she definitely should not become a mother—her body isn’t ready. Complications with pregnancy and childbirth are one of the leading causes of death for girls aged 15 - 19 in countries like Bangladesh.

In reality, a marriage proposal for Keya was not a solution, it’s a life sentence. 

When Jesmin joined FH Bangladesh’s Child Marriage No More project, she became one of 50 parents attending an awareness campaign. She then met bi-monthly with nine other parents to discuss stories that presented real-life scenarios related to child marriage.

Jesmin saw her own life mirrored in the stories, relating to the characters and empathizing with the situations they were in. Her mind began to change.

One story in particular struck home for Jesmin, convincing her that discrimination against daughters is wrong—equal opportunity should be given to girls and boys alike. The story showed how a girl like Keya needs extra support from her family and teachers, rather than giving up on her when she isn’t excelling in school. The story also showed the power of career-oriented technical education as an alternative to traditional education. Jesmin realized there were options for her daughter! Child marriage was not the only answer.

Soon after, Jesmin received an attractive marriage proposal for her teenage daughter. Jesmin stood strong. Equipped to say “No!”, she confidently refused it.

Through her Child Marriage No More parent group, she had gained the knowledge and confidence to do what was best for her daughter. Jesmin now plays an important role in ending child marriage in her community, advocating for teenage girls and persuading parents to say no to child marriage. Sweetest of all? Her relationship with her daughter is restored. She now treats her daughter as a friend, she tells us.

Today, through the support of Canadians like you, Keya is at home with her family, studying hard, and looking forward to a bright future.

With a gift today, you can help teenage girls say no to child marriage. A childhood can’t wait.

Donate today!