12. Child Bride: A Story of Survival & Self-Discovery (Samra Zafar)

“People have this idea that child marriage is like a child being taken, kicking and screaming into a room and being chained or roped up or tied up, and then forced to sign somewhere. Force is not a gun to your head or a knife to your throat. Force is coercion. Force is pressure. Force is that invisible, intangible cycle that is created around you, that if you say no, you're damned, and if you say yes, you're damned.” How many of us know someone or have heard about someone who has suffered from domestic abuse? How many of us know someone or have heard of someone who has been pressured or coerced into a marriage? This episode delves right into a harrowing story of how Samra Zafar was pressured into a marriage at a young age only to be stifled into an existence of abuse from her parents to husband and mother-in-law. From emotional abuse to spiritual, from verbal to physical, from sexual to financial abuse - there was no stone unturned. Samra rose from the ashes by finding the courage to learn what was happening to her. Armed with knowledge, she began to plan her escape. Samra Zafar is now an award-winning international speaker, author, scholar, and entrepreneur who advocates for equity, inclusion, and human rights. This podcast is campaigning against domestic abuse with:gov.uk/domestic-abuse, supporting the ‘Ask for ANI’ scheme, which allows those at risk or suffering from abuse to discreetly signal that they need help and access support. Anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse and needs immediate help can ask for ‘ANI’ in a participating pharmacy. If a pharmacy has the ‘Ask for ANI’ logo on display, it means they’re ready to help. They will offer you a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services. Action Needed Immediately! Do you feel controlled, belittled or isolated by a partner or family member? This is domestic abuse and it is never your fault. Help is always available and You Are Not Alone. You do not deserve abuse. You deserve support. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, Ask for ANI in phramacies displaying the 'Ask for Ani' logo to get immediate help to call the police or support services. For free helplines, support and advice visit gov.uk/domestic-abuse. #DomesticAbuse #AskForANI #YouAreNotAlone http://www.smart.bio/notanothermumpod WARNING: this is an explicit episode with adult themes and language. Please put your earphones on and listen to this in private. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as a medical or mental health advice to treat yourself or others, please consult your own physician for any diagnosis. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on these podcasts are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Not Another Mum Pod’s management or of any sponsors. Any content provided by our contributors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, identity (gender or sexual) club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.