Beyond businesses: No to early marriage
Beyond building businesses, women from the savings groups are breaking the cycle of early marriage. During a group discussion, half of them raised their hands when asked if they were married before 18, while the other half—like Seniya—had refused early marriage proposals.
Despite the difficulties, Seniya is determined to create awareness in her community about the dangers of early marriage. “I want to teach others not to marry early, but to accomplish something first.
“I said no at 16 because I saw my friends and mother struggle after marrying young,” Seniya shares. Her mother married at 15 and had Seniya at 16.
“I didn’t want to grow up with my child. I want to be a parent, not just a mother,” Seniya says.
CARE’s training on early marriage gave these young women the tools to take control of their futures.