At 12 years old, I was forced into marriage for just £7

Approximately one in five girls worldwide is married before the age of 18, even in countries with laws against child marriage that are sometimes not effectively enforced. However, in Malawi, signs of change are emerging. A girl named Tamara, whose name has been changed for privacy, experienced a significant transformation. Tamara, who was nine months pregnant at the time, was abandoned by her husband, who ran away upon hearing that social services were coming to rescue her from their illegal marriage. Tamara had to walk to her aunt's village, where she slept on the floor of a small hut. She was born into a rural farming community in southern Malawi's Neno district, where her family lived below the poverty line. The war in Ukraine worsened their situation by disrupting trade and increasing prices. Tamara's parents passed away, and she was taken in by her grandmother, who then forced her to get married after receiving money from a man she had never met. Child marriage is culturally accepted in rural communities like Tamara's, where about 85% of Malawi's population resides. Despite child marriage being illegal in Malawi since 2017, over 40% of girls in the country are still married before the age of 18. Tamara faced physical abuse from her older husband and eventually, social services intervened when she was 12 years old and expecting a baby. Tamara's story highlights the challenges faced by girls in rural communities, but efforts are being made to combat child marriage. Radio Mzati, a local radio station, hosts a weekly show called Ticheze Atsikana, which discusses issues affecting girls and encourages them to pursue education and know their rights. The show is sponsored by AGE Africa, an NGO supporting vulnerable girls in education. Several influential philanthropists, including Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney, and Melinda French Gates, are also working in Malawi to fight against child marriage. Traditional chiefs in Malawi have pledged to combat traditional marriage after a UN Population Fund initiative. However, secret child marriages remain a challenge as families may still give their girls away to older men. Tamara has given birth to a healthy baby boy, and a local NGO called People Serving Girls At Risk is providing support to her and her aunt. Tamara's hope is that her son will be able to complete his education. Despite their challenging circumstances, Tamara helps her aunt at their fruit and vegetable stall and maintains connections with her friends in the village.