I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui
Nujood Ali possesses a strength that saved her life. She does not know her actual age because the birthdays of children are not documented where she lives in an isolated village in Yemen. However, during what Nujood believes to be her tenth year, she is married to a grown man in an agreement made by her father. Nujood is devastated. She wants to continue living with her brothers and sisters, carrying water to and from the river like the older girls. But Nujood is forced to marry a stranger who is at least twenty years older than her. She is terrified for her wedding day. While her relatives celebrate with dancing and food, Nujood cries in a corner and falls asleep from exhaustion.
The next morning, she is picked up by a large vehicle carrying her new husband and his relatives. No one speaks to Nujood and she is forced to wear a think niqab instead of the head scarf she normally wears. She spends the long trip to her husband’s home village of Khardji crying, sweating, and trying not to be sick in the car. Upon arriving in the village, Nujood meets her mother-in-law who immediately shows dislike for her. That night, Nujood is asleep on a mat when her new husband charges into the room and rapes her. The story continues by describing how Nujood runs away from her husband’s house and the process involved in getting Nujood a divorce.
Nujood is the epitome of courage and strength. The world was against her and she found a way out. She knew she deserved justice and she did not stop fighting until she was free. I would recommend this book to a young adult who wants to learn more about the injustices that women and girls face every day all over the world. I enjoy reading books that open my eyes to something I knew nothing about. I did not know Nujood’s story. Her story is important and deserves to be shared with as many people as possible. Those who enjoyed Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn will be amazed at the strength of Nujood and urged to learn more about the women and girls experiencing similar mistreatment. If more people know their stories, perhaps there will be more options for women and girls facing domestic abuse and child marriages.
Reference
Ali, N. (2010) I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced. New York, NY: Random House.