End child marriage: Case update

End child marriage: Case update

Dear Tracy, Maria* was 13 years old when her father forced her to marry a 70-year-old man, a common practice in Burkina Faso. Her father threatened her saying, "If you don't go to join your husband, I will kill you." Amnesty is working to end child marriage once and for all. Please stand up for Maria and other young women like her. Donate and support our efforts. With your help, we are making strides. In response to pressure from letters and actions from activists around the world, the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Civic Promotion in Burkina Fhas recently committed to raise the legal age of marriage for girls to 18 years and to ensure that forced marriage is clearly defined in Burkina Faso's criminal code. While these promises are a step in the right direction, we need your help to ensure these plans turn into real action. Maria escaped after spending three days with her husband and his five other wives. She walked 105 miles over three days to get to a shelter. When her father learned that she had fled, he threatened to attack the priest who helped her escape if she didn't return home. When she did return, she was beaten by her father and sent back to live with her husband. She again fled the house on foot and sought refuge at the nearest police station. Amnesty is advocating for girls like Maria, who have suffered the injustice of early and forced marriage. We are telling their stories and we are holding governments accountable for their safety and well-being. We must stop early and forced child marriage and ensure meaningful support for child brides. Donate today. Amnesty is working in Burkina Faso as well as other countries with high rates of early and forced marriage to end this practice. We can support efforts to stop it. But we need your help. Please help support our work.   Sincerely, Margaret Huang Chief of Staff Amnesty International USA *Maria is not her real name