I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

Mr. Visveswara Bhat’s article Noorentu Maatu in Vijaya Karnataka Kannada daily is one which I do not miss. All the articles are inspiring. It could be about Shubhashini Mistry, a series of articles on Richard Branson’s life and many more. At the end the article inspires me and also teaches what life is all about. Hats off to you Sir. Continue the good work.  And please do not write about politics. J

Let me come to his recent article I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced. Let me begin the translation of his Kannada article to English :)

Nujood, a ten year old girl stormed a court and started demanding for meeting the judge at any cost. Anybody seeing her could easily realize that the girl was in big trouble. The lawyers present took her to the judge. The judge asked “What do you want?” Nujood replied “DIVORCE”.  The whole court stood shocked. 

Judge: “What? Divorce?”

Nujood shook her head and said: “ I married 3 years ago. Am studying in 4^th standard. I do not want this marriage. I need divorce”

Nujood’s background

Nujood was born to Ali Muhammad in a place called Saana (Yemen). Her dad was a rogue who drunk daily. He had married Shoya (Shoya was 14 years then). 4 years later he married another girl. Shoya gave birth to 16 kids in 18 years One of them was Nujood. Ali forced his kids to go for job at a young age. He lived with the income which his kids generated. He never allowed them to go to school. When two of his daughters were kidnapped he didn’t even bother to search for them. His two wives were mute spectators.

Nujood was a different girl. She somehow managed to go to school without father’s knowledge. One day father got to know this. Nujood was fortunate that father didn’t kill her on knowing this. He decided to get her married to Fayaz Ali who was 30. Nujood was 10 then.

Yemenian law allows a girl to get married once she attains 9 years but doesn’t permit sexual relationship until the girl reaches puberty.  

As expected life at Fayaz’s house was horrendous. She was sexually abused and exploited countless times. She had to undergo torture from her husband and in-laws. Nujood went into depression. She feared her husband’s sight. Every day was a nightmare for Nujood.

Nujood once on her visit to her house, sought help from her mother and step-mother. They did console her but were helpless. Father threatened her of dire consequences and asked her to go back to husband’s house. Looking at the burnt wounds and the state of Nujood, Step-mother suggested her to come back. But she couldn’t do that as her father will never let that happen.

Finally Nujood arrived at a decision. She decided not to go to her husband’s house. Husband came to take her. She refused. He used force to take her but she stood firm. At the end she landed at the court looking for justice.

Shaada Nazir, a lawyer took up Nujood’s case. The court hearing began. The judge asked Nujood to go back to her husband and assured that she won’t be sexually exploited until she matures. But she refused. All she wanted was Divorce. Finally the court on April 15^th, 2008 gave her divorce after three months of hearing.

The aftermath

Nujood’s story shook the entire world. She had become a topic for discussion. When asked about her future plans she conveyed that she wanted to become a lawyer and take care of her parents. The law of Yemen which permitted girls to marry after 9 years was severely criticized worldwide. In Feb 2009, the Yemen government was forced to change marriage laws. Both girl and boy had to attain 17 years to get married now.

The courage which Nujood showed won her many accolades including the Woman of the Year award conferred by Glamour magazine (US) in 2008. She won praise from Hillary Clinton, Condelezza Rice and many more. Money flew in from different countries for her education.

The Present

Nujood wrote her autobiography. With the money she got from the book, she has built an apartment for her parents and taking care of education of her sisters and brothers.

She proudly goes to school daily :)   

No doubt there are many such Nujood struggling in many countries. She is a hope for others.We all have problems of some kind or the other.  But probably not greater than the problem that Nujood faced.

Whatever be the problem let us face it head on and work out a solution. Every problem has a solution. Instead of exaggerating our problem we should focus on how to overcome it.

Nujood’s story is truly inspiring. Thanks Mr. Visvesvara Bhat. Keep churning out such stories. :)