I’m Payzee Mahmod. As a survivor of child marriage, I’ve dedicated my life to the fight against gender-based violence.
In my work with IKWRO - Women's Rights Organisation, I spend my days campaigning to end “honour” based abuse – such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, virginity testing, and hymenoplasty.
This work is more important than ever. Every two seconds, a girl is married before the age of 18. Child marriage systematically disempowers girls by robbing them of a chance to learn, grow, and fully realise their potential.
No girl should have to experience these harmful practices.
I became an activist because my own experiences compelled me to speak out.
Taking away girls' right to choose who and when they marry is a violation of their bodily autonomy.
Child marriage violates the fundamental right to sexual and reproductive health.
It’s a fight for justice, for freedom, and for women's rights. And it’s a fight to give people the freedom of choice against oppression.
In these 16 days of Activism join me and millions of Global Citizens in the fight against child marriage.
