Child marriage is an evil that has been prevalent for centuries, not just in India, but across the world. Despite a stringent law and other awareness movements, child marriage has destroyed the lives of millions of girls. Yes, we live in a world where most girls are married off before the age of 16 and have to forgo their precious childhood to take care of a house and a husband.
But Sonita Alizadeh did something different. This 18-year-old Afghanistan native wrote a rap song and sang her way out of child marriage. Sonita is the youngest female rapper of Afghanistan, who took to singing at the age 14, when her parents decided to give her up in exchange for money, so that her brother could get married.
Sonita became popular after she made an appearance at the recently held Women in the World conference, where she was invited to share her admirable story of courage and perseverance. This young girl who has been representing millions of child brides across the world is taking a stand by resorting to music and the world is now sitting up and taking note.
Sonita, who has also worked with an NGO where she learnt to read and write, began rapping to share her story. The lyrics, from her life-changing song, Brides for Sale, are bound to move any cold heart.
Sonita was awarded for composing the song and a full scholarship by the Stongheart Group, to study in the US and this helped her get out of her marriage. She is now studying in Utah and performing across the United States. The young girl in an emotional conversation said, “When my mother made a decision to sell me, I didn’t give up because I had designed a shiny future in my mind for myself.”
We agree with her and believe that if you’ve set your mind on something you will be able to achieve it. She now speaks about the cause of child marriage and how it is destroying the lives of girls all around the world, especially in nations that do not have enough facilities for women. Her story will leave you in awe and adoration.
You can watch her full interview here:
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