Thursday, June 10, 2010

Nujood Ali

Thanks to Sister Florita for the suggestion of I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced. This is the story of Nujood Ali, the first bride in Yemen to win a divorce. Hailed by Hillary Clinton as "one of the greatest women I have ever seen," Nujood was named a Glamour Woman of the Year in 2008.

In Nujood's words: "I'm a simple village girl who has always obeyed the orders of my father and brothers. Since forever, I have learned to say yes to everything. Today I have decided to say no."

From the back cover of the book: " Nujood Ali's childhood came to an abrupt end in 2008 when her father arranged for her to be married to a man three times her age. With harrowing directness, Nujood tells of abuse at her husband's hands and of her daring escape. With the help of local advocates and the press, Nujood obtained her freedom -- an extraordinary achievement in Yemen, where almost half of all girls are married under the legal age. Nujood's courageous defiance of both Yemeni customs and her own family have inspired other young girls in the Middle East to challenge their marriages. Hers is an unforgettable story of tragedy, triumph, and courage."

No comments:

Post a Comment