17-Year-Old Girl Murdered After Resisting Forced Marriage in Kenya
Gaala Adan Abdi, a 17-year-old girl in Kenya, was murdered after refusing a forced marriage. Abducted and abused for 27 days by her captor, her case highlights the ongoing problem of forced marriages in the region. An investigation is underway, and the man involved has been arrested.
In Wajir, Kenya, a 17-year-old refugee, Gaala Adan Abdi, was tragically killed after resisting a forced marriage to 55-year-old Mohamed Kassim Tifow. Abducted from the Dagahley refugee camp, she was taken 150 kilometers to Wara Ademasajida where the marriage was to occur. Following her refusal, Gaala suffered continuous physical abuse for 27 days. Her family reported that to conceal the crime, her body was burned after her murder.
In her last message to her parents, Gaala expressed despair over the situation, stating, “Every night they beat me, they didn’t stop for 24 hours. This isn’t a man I can marry; I was forced into this.” On March 22, she alerted her mother and uncle that her life was at risk, but shortly after, relatives notified them of her murder.
An autopsy revealed Gaala was murdered before her body was burned. Police have apprehended Tifow, who is currently undergoing questioning amid an ongoing investigation. This incident shines a spotlight on the severe issue of forced marriages in that region, although authorities have yet to provide additional details about the case.
The tragic killing of Gaala Adan Abdi after resisting a forced marriage underscores the ongoing issue of such practices in regions like Wajir, Kenya. The incident highlights the urgent need for better protections against gender-based violence and forced unions. As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial for authorities to address these harmful traditions and safeguard the rights of vulnerable individuals.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
