A young girl is not emotionally or physically ready to have a child. Married at 14, Aïssa* was regularly abused and fell pregnant. She went into labour, but wasn’t taken to a clinic for four days. Aïssa lost her baby, and developed a fistula – a hole between her bladder and vagina. At only 16, she had a chronic disability that caused incredible pain and left her incontinent. “My husband abandoned me because I was ’dirty’,” says Aïssa.
AĂŻssa found help, medical attention and counselling through Plan International. But so many girls don’t get the care they need. You can help to keep a girl like AĂŻssa stay safe by supporting our Girls’ Fund.
*Name changed to protect identity