Fatuma has 5 children at the age of 20; please stop early child marriage

Fatuma was only 15-years-old when she was forced to marry a stranger who was twice his age. Her dreams of becoming a doctor were shattered. By age 17, Fatuma had already given birth to her second child. Fatuma now is 20 years old and she has five kids. She depends completely on her husband who is usually a violent man. Fatuma is not alone. Every five minute a girl like Fatuma is forced to marry at a very tender age (below 18 years) ending their chances of completing their education and putting them at a greater risk of violence, isolation  and death during pregnancy and childbirth.

Globally 15 million girls are married before the age of 18 years each year. Most of these marriages occur in developing countries Kenya being one of them. Although Kenya has made strides in outlawing child marriage and protecting children’s rights, the practice is still rampant. In Kenya 25% of girls are married before their eighteenth birthday. Child marriage in Kenya is rampant in rural areas more so in Coast and North Eastern region.