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What possible justification can there be for taking away a young girl’s childhood, dreams, innocence, education, and future?Child marriage is one of the most devastating forms of abuse and exploitation that a girl can endure.Behind every child bride is a young girl who should be in school, playing with friends, discovering her talents, and dreaming about the life she wants to build for herself—not being burdened with the responsibilities, fears, and expectations of adulthood.Imagine the terror of a child being told that her future is no longer her own.Imagine the confusion, fear, and helplessness of being forced into a marriage before she is emotionally, mentally, or physically ready.The scars left by such experiences can last a lifetime.Let us join hands to end this menace in our culture and society.Every girl deserves the right to grow up safely, receive an education, make her own choices, and enter adulthood with dignity and hope.No child should have to trade her toys for marriage, her classroom for a household, or her dreams for a future chosen by others.The images appear to show Somali girls and Somali men.What stands out is the stark contrast between the apparent celebration of the adults and the uncertainty and fear that may be seen on the faces of the young girls.It is a painful reminder that behind every child marriage is a child whose voice may never have been heard.Our daughters are not commodities.They are not bargaining chips.They are not objects to be handed over before they have had a chance to become who they were meant to be.They are children—with hopes, ambitions, and an equal right to safety, freedom, and opportunity.Silence protects harmful practices.Courage challenges them.Let us speak up, stand together, and fight for a future where every girl is allowed to be a child before she is asked to become a woman
