Surviving FGM, Forced Marriage, and Displacement

Sahra (*fictional name) is a young woman from Sudan. She underwent Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a minor, a painful procedure performed without medical care.

She continues to experience serious health problems as a result, including kidney failure. FGM is widespread in her home country Sudan, affecting 86% of women.

As a child, Sahra was a survivor of sexual assault, and had a daughter from this abuse. And she was later subjected to forced marriage by her mother. 

Seeking safety, Sahra fled with her daughter to Turkey, where they were separated. Unable to access the medical care she urgently needed, she continued her journey to Greece. She first arrived on a Greek island and was later transferred to Athens, where she reached out to ELIL for legal support.

Her ELIL lawyer supported her throughout the procedure. She referred Sahra to the national mechanism for victims of trafficking, as her forced marriage met the criteria for potential trafficking, coordinated with Sahra’s social worker to ensure she received appropriate protection and care and helped her in gathering and submitting documents to prove her history and access her rights.

Through this support, Sahra was able to access the protection, services, and legal recognition she needed to begin rebuilding her life.

*Personal details have been changed to protect anonymity.