Samra Zafar was just 16 when her parents forced her to marry a man who lived far from her home in Abu Dhabi. Today, she is Dr. Samra Zafar—a physician and inspirational human rights activist. But the journey from child bride to an advocate for women’s rights was anything but easy. Her story is a testament to the power of community in transforming the lives of young girls.
“It’s your destiny”
Zafar, a Pakistani, was married off to an acquaintance of her parents residing in Mississauga, Ontario. They told her, “It’s your destiny.” The man, 11 years her senior, promised she would be able to pursue higher education—but it was an empty promise.
Zafar husband was also abusive. She was not allowed to work and so had no money of her own. When she was 21 and her first child was two years old, he only allowed her to leave the house once a week for a few hours to take their daughter to an early years center. In an interview with Yahoo News, she recalls how liberated she felt, if only for a short time each week:
“It was my few hours of escape” … “Sometimes I would hide under the Credit River Bridge and pull off my hijab so that I could feel the breeze in my hair for a few minutes.”
It was during one of those outings that Zafar’s life began to change. After misplacing a coin, a stranger offered to pay for a Time Horton’s donut her daughter had already started eating. Although she was never given money of her own, she had been saving the occasional loonie or toonie she found around the house. Inspired by that stranger’s kindness, she enrolled in her first high school course at an independent learning center that very day.
That one act of kindness was the beginning of many more. A woman from the center recognized the abuse and helped Zafar get legal aid. When she applied to university at 26 years old, the registrar helped her bypass the waitlist, and a professor wrote her a powerful letter of recommendation that helped her secure a scholarship. She also began taking on baby sitting jobs to pay for her education. It was around this time that she finally found the strength and support to leave her husband. Her university roommates helped care for her children while she sought legal help.
Child marriage is still legal in Canada
Zafar describes her journey as a “miracle” and is eternally grateful to the people of Canada for the kindness they continue to show her. Today, she holds three degrees, has a strong support system, and a chosen family. As a mental health physician and advocate, women’s rights activist, public speaker, and author, she is committed to helping others in Canada access the support they need.
But there is one flaw she wants her adopted country to address. She says:
“In Canada, you can marry at age 16 with parental consent. But in many cases, parental consent is actually parental coercion. And even in this day and age, it continues to happen.”
Freedom United echoes the sentiments of Samra Zafar and and urges Canada to embrace progress by outlawing child marriage without exception. In May, Pakistan banned child marriage with no exceptions. It’s time for Canada to follow suit. Join us in demanding that governments across the globe outlaw child marriage.
Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.
If Pakistan can outlaw child marriage, Canada can as well. it is time—past time, actually.
It’s hard ti believe that even Pakistan was quicker than Canada in changing the law
I know little about this but there is one thing that should bind us all. Put yourself in that situation and find some empathy.
Forced marriage is an abomination as is promising a child in marriage. We have to fight to change that. However in many countries the age of consent for sex is 16 and thus having children and 12 is not rare. Changing the age of consent to 16 would be a reasonable goal. Preventing marriage below 16 would be feasible and getting rid of forced marriage, coerced marriage or parental agreement to marriage should be banned at any age.
Forced marriage is the problem, and should be outlawed. In Britain you can marry at 16 with your parent’s permission. The only draw back is ensuring that both must must agree. How do you know if they want to marry if the parents are in control.