By Abdul Rub Farooqi | Executive Director
"I faced many problems to acquire my residential land inherited to my mother from her mother, but with the help of your Financial, Legal and Moral support I got my right to inherited land which is just dream in our area", telling Najma her success story.
As "Empower 100 Child Brides in Pakistan" is working in Rahim Yar Khan District for empowering Child Brides under 3 pronged strategies, in which one is to support them to claim their inheritance rights. Najma is one of the empowered victim of Child Marriage to got land on her own name from maternal uncles.
Najma said, “In 2009, when I reached 13 or 14 years of age, my parents decided my marriage with Ghulam Yaseen 46 Years old as “Watta Satta” (Exchange Marriage). Ghulam Yaseen was already married and has children of my age. The agreement made between my parents and husband on following conditions
Najma explained more about her early marriage, "On above mentioned conditions, I got married and my husband started torture on me after 6 weeks while I was pregnant to pressurize my parents to withdraw conditions. I was facing the difficulties and complications of early pregnancy. In the village there was no health facility. By taking low calories and fewer nutrients devastated my health. At last I delivered my son after 9 month of hardship, torture and depression under the treatment of traditional birth attendant."
She described with trouble and sorrow, "To capture the dowry, and negation of agreement, his torture was become un-bearable then my brother Murtaza became the hero of my story, he observed that my husband is torturing me, he asked to mother for disconnection of this relation because he want to study and I received divorce".
"My maternal uncles and cousins grabbed that land which was inherited to my mother. My mother struggled a lot but failed. They are very powerful and have linkages with Police and Political leaders. I contacted to Jaag Welfare Movement for seeking help. Project "Empower 100 Child Brides in Pakistan" provided legal and moral support to claim the right from District Collector and District Police. After consistent efforts of project staff, I fought and got the land. When our relatives physically abuse my mother, I drawn attention of the media to highlighted the issues" Najma clarified her strategy.
"During the meetings with staff of the project, I came into my knowledge that Child Marriage is a crime; Being the intense victim of Child Marriage I started preaching to my community. I informed many cases to Jaag for stopping the occurrence of Child Marriages and Gender Based Violence", said Najma.
Najma told joyfully, "Now I feel empower and enthusiastic to face the political and Administrative officials and can record if they harass me to vacate the land for those influential and pursue to high official especially Government of Punjab, Women Empowerment & Women Protection Cell Lahore who also influences in favor of our case. This property is located on commercial area and now its price exceed to 1.5 million PKR."
Najma further expressed her views, "My mother, who is ashamed of her action of my early marriage, she gifted this land to me. Being successful case of us, my maternal aunty, claimed her inherited right to land and the case is in the court and hope for positive decision".
She explained her mission, "Now my mission is to empower other women & girls of the area and minimize the occurrence of Child Marriage, end bad customary practices. I will support and motivate the other girls and women to claim their inherited right to ownership of land, house etc. While my personal mission is to built up my 6 years old son and brothers as gender sensitive, educated and human rights defenders"
"I again thank you for your generous support for this noble cause. I shared my story as sample or case study for others to take action accordingly and I do not have any fear from relatives because my stories/news published in other local newspapers".
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