In the Shangaani district’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) centre sits *Faduma, a 17-year-old girl who has brought her ailing child to seek medical attention. When she was 15, her parents forced her to marry an older man who had several wives and would torture her every week. Despite her husband having a small business at the Bakara market, he refuses to provide any support and even restricts her from working to meet their basic necessities. His constant threats and intimidation compound this unfortunate circumstance.
Whenever Faduma’s child falls seriously ill, she cannot seek proper medical care at a reputable hospital due to her husband’s opposition. In desperation, she resorted to seeking assistance in secret at the Shangaani District MCH, where she could access essential medication for her child’s condition. Her baby is severely malnutrition, and Faduma’s body bears the scars of the physical abuse she endures from her husband. Faduma’s support system is non-existent, with her parents residing in a different region and thus unable to provide the assistance she desperately needs. Fearing for her safety and that of her child, she refrains from sharing her problems with others as it could endanger both her own life and that of her baby.
The complex interplay of socio-economic factors, gender dynamics, and personal safety concerns underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and community support systems that can provide not only medical aid but also a safe space for individuals like Faduma to share their challenges without fear, enabling women in similar situations to break free from the cycle of abuse.