𝐎𝐡 𝐙𝐨𝐲𝐚! 💔

In July, when social worker Shelly visited Zoya (rescued at 14 years old in Maharashtra, September 2022), her mother informed us that Zoya would soon turn 18 and marry her 23-year-old cousin (a common practice in India). During the visit, Zoya was very excited about her marriage.

But when Shelly met Zoya last week, she received bad news. Zoya had secretly married her cousin and went to live with him in Delhi. She did not want to do any housework or find a job and instead started exploring and entered into an affair with another man. When Zoya's husband found out, he was furious and immediately divorced her and sent her back to her home in Kolkata.

Zoya's sister, who was present for the visit, said that Zoya discovered that her husband was already married, and that's why she left him. But Zoya's mother firmly said it was Zoya's fault.

Now that Zoya is back home, she continues to roam about during the day, is unable to sleep at night, is constantly restless and irritable, and has been having panic attacks. Zoya's mother asked Shelly to take Zoya to a therapist.

Since Zoya's husband married her when she was only 17, our team plans to file a complaint with the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) so that he is booked under the Child Marriage Act for marrying a minor. Zoya's mother asked Shelly not to inform the CWC, but her mother and other relatives should have protected Zoya or allowed her to stay in the shelter home, where she could receive counseling and life skills sessions and heal from the trauma she has endured.

Our social workers will continue visiting Zoya at her home and working on a plan to help her receive the help and resources she needs to heal and learn new skills so she can sustain herself.