Courageous 11-Year-Old Girl Escapes Forced Marriage And Gives Impassioned Plea For Justice

Impact

This homemade video of a Yemeni girl will be the most inspiring thing you'll see today.

Watch her explain why she's run away from the family that forced her to become a child bride. Although the Daily Mail reports that the video hasn't been "independently verified", it was filmed by the Middle East Media Research Institute, an extremists' group watchdog. Her name is Al-Ahdal. She may only be 11 years-old, but she already knows that she is "not an item for sale." She doesn't just stand up for herself; she stands up for all children forced into marriage. 

According to the Daily Mail, the Social Affairs Ministry in Yemen reports that "a quarter of Yemen's females marry before age 15." That number is shockingly high. I'm glad this inspiring girl won't become another statistic, and let's hope her voice galvanizes change.

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Update: Unconfirmed reports state that the video was not based on actual events, but rather planned by the young girl's uncle.