Roshni Perween was 15 when her parents decided to force her to marry a man three times her age. But fighting through her experience of sexual violence and social stigma, The Better India reports Roshni has now dedicated her life to ending the practice, becoming a recognized change-maker in the country.  

“I had my whole future in front of me” 

When Roshni entered 9th grade, she was looking forward to school and hanging out with her friends. Then her life was turned on its head. At just 15, her parents forced her to marry a 45 year-old man, despite her resistance. After the wedding when she moved into his home things only got worse.     

Roshni shared: 

I had my whole future in front of me but despite a lot of opposition, I was married off…I was very young and knew nothing about life after marriage. My husband forced himself on me and I was shocked to my core.

After just three months Roshni worked up the courage to leave her abusive husband and return to her parents home. However she soon realized she was pregnant. After the birth of her son, facing rejection by her own family on top of societal stigma, Roshni made a tough decision. She walked away from the abusive marriage, got a job and started building a better life for herself and her son.  

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