Ahlam was in the ninth grade at a school in Marib Governorate when her displaced family decided to marry her off to a man 14 years her senior. Early marriage is widespread in Yemen, and the prolonged humanitarian crisis has exacerbated this serious problem.
The economic factor was the primary motivation for her marriage. The family was exhausted by displacement and the loss of income. They believed that marrying off their daughter was a way to reduce household expenses since she had reached puberty. They were unaware of the health, social, and psychological risks of early marriage.
Ahlam, who preferred to use a pseudonym for personal reasons, confirms this, saying, "I was 15 when I got married. I was forced to marry because of the family's difficult financial circumstances. I felt sad. I wanted to complete my education, but I didn't want to enter the world of motherhood at that age. The responsibilities were beyond my capacity. The family had wronged me."
A Stage of Oppression
Shortly after Ahlam's marriage, her marital life turned into a stage of oppression. Her husband subjected her to increasing verbal, emotional, and physical abuse, a form of gender-based violence. Yemen is one of the countries experiencing high levels of violence against women, due to social, cultural, economic, and other factors.
Each time, Ahlam sought help from her family to help her escape this ordeal, only to be surprised by family pressure to return to her husband. This exacerbated her suffering, as she says: "My father let me down repeatedly, and I felt as if he wanted to get rid of me. My mother didn't dare oppose him, no matter how wrong his decisions were."
Family problems escalated, eventually leading to divorce. Ahlam returned to her family home with her daughter, entering a new phase of tragedy. Her family viewed her as a failure who should be treated harshly so that she would learn the value of married life and avoid repeating that failure if she were to find another husband in the future.
Ahlam said, "My family treated me like a criminal, not a victim. They asked me to hand my daughter over to her father, and I vehemently refused, fearing my daughter would be displaced and lost. I saw them turn a blind eye to my younger brothers' attacks on my daughter, considering her a normal person, undeserving of proper care, and as if she were not an innocent child."
A Better Life
Ahlam's life had become a kind of hell. The ongoing violations of her rights and dignity had led her to experience negative thoughts, even to the point of contemplating suicide. Suddenly, a ray of hope shone through her dark life through the Integrated Lifesaving Response Project for Vulnerable People in Emergency Situations in Marib City, "The Hayat Project."
Implemented by the Human Access for Partnership and Development association (HUMAN ACCESS), with funding from the Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF), the project aims to save the lives of displaced persons, returnees, and the host community. It involves several services, including psychological support, which Ahlam needed. As a result of domestic violence, her mental health had become fragile, requiring intervention to restore her self-confidence.
Because of her confectionery/ pastry skills, Ahlam was granted cash assistance in April 2025, enabling her to purchase supplies for this profession and enter the labor market to earn a living and support her family. This changed the life of this woman in her twenties for the better, and her family's treatment of her improved. This confirms that economic pressures contribute to families becoming violent, and that financial support helps protect women from violence.
Ahlam says, "I emerged from a world of oblivion and regained my self-confidence. I now have value and a role in the family and society. My status has been strengthened, and I am now able to continue my life. I feel dignified and strong, and I am now living a new life. I will work to educate my daughter and will not allow her to marry off early. Life has smiled upon me thanks to the Hayat Project."
