Once Victims, brave girls now champion fight against child marriage

Years ago when a 13-year-old Roshni Perween (photo, right) was forcefully married to a 45-year-old man, little did she know that not only would she be able to break from the shackles of an abusive marriage but also become a United Nation Young Activists Laureate winner for leading her cause against child marriages.

- PARWINDER SANDHU

Barely in her teens, she was forcefully married by her parents to a man who was triple her age. A year later, the young teen delivered a son. "I have not only been a victim of child marriage but have also endured the mental and physical trauma originating as a result of marital rape and domestic violence from the same," she said.

"When I decided to break from the ordeal, I faced a lot of resistance from my family and society at large. I was called different names. But nothing broke my resolute to take charge of my life," she said. Hailing from Darbhanga in Bihar, Perween is the co-founder of the Janta Express Welfare Foundation. She has rescued over 60 girls from child marriage, saved nine girls from trafficking, and resolved 107 cases of domestic violence.