Dear John,
Throughout December, we’ve shared the story of Raha, a girl who was forced into child marriage. An early pregnancy put her health at risk, and as a young mother, she was denied the opportunity to work outside the home and become financially self-sufficient. Years later, now a woman, Raha, is divorced.
Initiating the divorce was a difficult decision. Sex-discriminatory laws could be used to deny her marital property, financial rights, and custody of her child, and local laws could make it more difficult for her to obtain a divorce than her male counterpart. Even if she was successful, she would still likely face social stigma.
In the words of Fatima, a real woman who pursued divorce in Algeria, “It’s still a social taboo and a disgrace to be a divorced woman in our society. I am considered as someone who was not capable of preserving her family. I had to fight to prove that I could find another job and raise my children independently.” She went on to say, “I would like to remarry, but if I do, I would lose custody of my children.”
By reforming sex and gender discriminatory laws, Equality Now helps ensure that women like Raha and Fatima can lead the lives they want and deserve. Please help fund our efforts with a gift today.
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