A 17-year-old
girl named Fatima B has appealed to the Niger Child Right Protection Agency to
dissolve her one-month-old marriage.
Fatima is
married to 35-year-old Salihu M, said that she was no longer in love with her
husband and also wants the marriage dissolved so she can further her education.
“I was given
in marriage to Salihu by my family, who thought I will have a better life with
him. I do not want this marriage; I do not love this man. I want a divorce
because I want to go to school and it is only when I am divorced that I can
return to school,” she said.
Her husband,
Salihu also replied saying that he married his wife legally, and with the
consent of her family.
“At first, my
wife was happy with the marriage until she suddenly changed her mind and opted
for a divorce. I still love my wife and I want to spend my life with her, but
if she wants a divorce, I have no objection. I cannot force her to remain in
the union,” he said.
The
Director-General of the Niger Child Right Protection, Maryam Kolo, was full of
praise for Fatima for having the courage to seek for divorce, and gave a
two-week ultimatum to dissolve the marriage.
“If you fail
to do so within the two weeks, the agency will file for divorce on behalf of
the girl in a Sharia Court,” she said.
She further
warn parents against giving out their daughter early for marriage.
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