Video

"I was just a child": Salma survived forced marriage at 15 and is now back in school

October 31, 2025

"I was just a child and suddenly got married. Before I had time to recover from the shock, I got pregnant.”

This was Salma's life at 15. Forced into marriage, she suffered gender-based violence.

But her story didn't end there. 

Watch her inspiring journey: She's now back in school, pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.

See how the UNFPA is working to end child marriage.

Resources

Child marriage - Frequently Asked Questions

Resource date: 17 February 2025

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News

First menstruation is often accompanied by fear, shame, lack of information, women and girls in Arab states reveal

28 May 2021
Even talking about menstruation is considered taboo or embarrassing, many women told UNFPA. © UNFPA Somalia
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Resources

Technical Note on Life Skills Programmes for Empowering Adolescent Girls: Notes for Practitioners on What Works

Resource date: 31 December 2019

Author: UNFPA, UNICEF

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Resources

Technical Note on Gender Norms

Resource date: 29 February 2020

Author: UNFPA, UNICEF

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Resources

Technical Note on Gender-Transformative Approaches: A summary for practitioners

Resource date: 31 January 2020

Author: UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women

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Resources

Fact sheet: Civil-society engagement in the Global Programme to End Child Marriage

Resource date: 31 March 2020

Author: UNFPA, UNICEF

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The Global Programme partners with 93 civil society organizations and partnerships to implement programme activities, and with 29 civil society organizations and partnerships for advocacy.

The purpose of this fact sheet is to present the Global Programme’s understanding of, and approaches to, working with civil society, and to promote a common understanding of key concepts, which will provide guidance on civil society engagement.

News

Gender equality is the key to a better future for all, world leaders and youth activists agree at Paris Forum

30 June 2021
“It is now time to deliver,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem at the opening ceremony of the Generation Equality Forum. © Service photo du Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères
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News

Helping women and girls claim their bodily autonomy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

09 June 2021
UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem and East and Southern Regional Director Julitta Onabanjoeets with Nobel Prize winner Dr. Denis Mukwege as well as community members, advocates and survivors. © UNFPA/Luis Tato
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