Salamatu’s Escape: A brave Journey from Oppression to Freedom

Part One: Forced into Marriage as a Teen

BY ABDUL WAHID ZAAHIDA.

In the heart of Damango, a quiet town in Northern Ghana, a bright-eyed girl named Salamatu was born with dreams that stretched far beyond the horizon. She had always aspired to become a nurse, inspired by the selflessness of healthcare workers who healed the sick and comforted the ailing. But her dreams took an unexpected and heart-wrenching turn when she was forced into an arranged marriage in her mid-teens as the fourth wife of a 47-year-old man she had no interest in.

Life for Salamatu was a living nightmare as she was thrust into a world of grown women who were already well-versed in the complex dynamics of being co-wives. The once vivacious teenager was now burdened with the responsibilities of a wife, alongside the emotional turmoil that comes with sharing her husband with three other women.

“I had suicidal thoughts many times because having my husband forcing himself on me every night until a bleed [sic] sometime was painful, and anytime I refuse, he will beat me to pulps and still have his way with me. And anytime I reported to my parents, all they did was shut me up and said I should try and make my husband happy,” began Salamatu.

The weight of it all became even heavier when she conceived in succession and gave birth to two children within the span of two years.

Salamatu’s dreams of becoming a nurse were seemingly shattered, and her world was confined to the walls of her husband’s compound. The vibrant young girl that she once was had to endure the harsh realities of early marriage, bearing the emotional scars of her lost ambitions.

By some luck, she connected with Saviour (not her real name), an old friend from school who advised her that she had other options, and that to survive she had to escape.

With the sheanuts she gathered from her husband’s farm, Salamatu knew there was a way to finally put a plan to place. Saviour provided her with guidance, emotional support, and the necessary resources to escape her oppressive marriage.

Within a short time, Salamatu’s determination to change her fate burned even brighter. She began to plot her escape, not just for herself but for her two young children who, she was convinced, deserved a better life than the one she was trapped in. The idea of leaving her husband and co-wives behind was daunting, but Salamatu knew that her children’s future depended on her courage and strength.

“It was hard for me”, Salamatu recounted. “I was the youngest, and it meant I had to do all the farm work, come back home to fetch water and cook for my husband, co wives and even their children”.

Salamatu’s escape was a daring and courageous act. With both her children strapped on her body, she made her way to a safe haven, far away from the life that had been imposed upon her. She had just turned 18.

But her journey towards independence was far from easy, but her unyielding spirit pushed her forward. In Part Two of this five-part series, we shall learn about her harrowing fight to flee and sojourn in a strange city.

Salamatu’s story serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of young women who find themselves in the clutches of forced marriages. Her determination to break free and secure a brighter future for her children is an inspiration to many. Salamatu’s dream of becoming a nurse may have been delayed, but her unwavering spirit shows that no dream is truly lost when the will to pursue it remains alive.

We hope to shed light on the challenges faced by countless young girls forced into early marriages and inspire change. Salamatu’s journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope, and her escape serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking to break free from oppressive situations and chase their dreams, no matter the obstacles.

UNICEF statistics say there are 2.2 million child brides in Ghana, 662,200 of whom were married before the age of 15. Currently, the prevalence of child marriage (marriage before the age of 18) among girls stands at 19 per cent (thankfully among the lowest in West and Central Africa – the regional average is 37 per cent). Child marriage in Ghana has declined over the last three decades, from 34 per cent. However, this is not enough to meet the goal of ending the practice by the end of 2030 as set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). If progress is accelerated, the prevalence of child marriage could drop to 12 per cent by 2030 and to 5 per cent by 2050, according to UNICEF. UNICEF GHANA believes that every child has a right to a childhood, future and a fair chance.

Others like Girls Not Brides, a global network of more than 1,600 civil society organisations from over 100 countries – including Ghana – are committed to ending child marriage and ensuring girls can reach their full potential.

If you or anyone you know is in a situation like Salamatu’s and you need help, report such incidents to any nearby office of DOVVSU for immediate intervention. Or you may contact organizations like CAMFED Ghana at +233 302 544 224/5, or Child Rights International at +233 302 503 744.

Part Two: Escape from Forced Marriage

Part Three: Forced Labour – Salamatu’s Kayayo Experience