Note: The name "Sita" has been changed to protect her identity.

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In the bustling city of Nepalgunj, Nepal, 16-year-old Sita dreamed of a brighter future.

With her six sisters and brother, Sita’s family faced daily struggles to make ends meet. Her father drove a rickshaw, and her mother sold liquor from a small shop. Despite all the hardship, she had hope.

Sita found courage and a sense of belonging in the Girls’ Development Adolescent Group—a space that made her feel seen and valued.

Then, everything changed in an instant.

Sita’s parents sent her to work at a massage center, expecting her to help support the family. But instead of hard work, she faced unthinkable danger and exploitation. 

“I felt trapped. I couldn’t shout. I couldn’t run. I was like a bird locked in a cage, wings cut off,” explained Sita.

Desperate and determined, Sita managed to borrow a phone and send a message to her friend Kusum: “Please help me. I am in danger. I don’t know if I will ever be safe again.”

Kusum saw the message—and acted. She reached out to the Fatima Foundation, and together, community members, Sita’s school, and local authorities worked quickly to find and rescue her.

Within hours, she was safe. She cried tears of relief.

In the days that followed, Sita bravely spoke out about what she experienced. She revealed that her own parents had been responsible for sending her into harm’s way, an admission that weighed heavily on her heart. Still, Sita asked for mercy for her parents, seeking safety over retribution.

Today, Sita is back in school, healing through counseling, and surrounded by friends. Step by step, she’s reclaiming her life. When she feels afraid, she reminds herself that she’s a survivor.

“Girls like me… we are everywhere. Silent. Afraid. Waiting for someone to believe us. I was saved because my friend listened. Because someone cared enough to act.” -Sita

Sita is just one of millions of girls around the world who still face the threat of child marriage due to a lack of economic opportunities.

This is why VOW for Girls funds programs like the Fatima Foundation, which provides girls with the skills, mentorship, and resources they need to succeed.

The impact of these programs extends far beyond individual lives—it challenges societal norms, fosters economic independence, and creates a ripple effect of change.

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How You Can Support Girls Like Sita

Sita’s journey from a girl at risk to a survivor reclaiming her future is proof of what’s possible when girls are given the chance to choose their own path.

By supporting VOW for Girls, you can directly help more girls like Sita escape danger, find support, and reclaim their futures.

Please donate or spread the word to help transform the lives of young girls today. 

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