Video

"I was just a child": Salma survived forced marriage at 15 and is now back in school

calendar_today31 October 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyeSiuUiBs8

"I was just a child and suddenly got married. Before I had time to recover from the shock, I got pregnant.”

This was Salma's life at 15. Forced into marriage, she suffered gender-based violence.

But her story didn't end there.

Watch her inspiring journey: She's now back in school, pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.

See how the UNFPA is working to end child marriage.

Publication date

Feb 2025

Resources

Child marriage - Frequently Asked Questions

News

Despite steep funding cuts, heroic teacher determined to keep girls in school and out of child marriage in Yemen

calendar_today21 April 2025

Some 1.5 million girls in Yemen are not in school, which blights their future learning and employment opportunities and exposes them to higher risks of child marriage. ©YWU

News

This Valentine's Day, busting 5 common myths about child marriage

calendar_today14 February 2025

“My parents wanted me to marry at the age of 13, but I was not ready,” said Shwapna, pictured here with her friend Shantimala at an information and awareness-raising session in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. © UNFPA Bangladesh/Farjana Sultana