According to UNICEF, child marriage refers to any formal marriage between a child under the age of 18 and an adult. Such minors, generally girls, are often forced into these marriages. Child marriages are more likely to occur in Third world countries. However, in many states of the United States, child marriage is legal and everyday hundreds of girls fall victim to this system. Naila Amin, a Pakistani-origin US based woman, was a victim of this same situation. At the age of 13, Amin was forced into marriage with her cousin from Pakistan. During the years of her marriage, she was being abused by her then husband both mentally and physically. Fortunately, Amin was able to escape from Pakistan and return to the United States. Since her childhood, she knew child marriages have to end and no girl should suffer like her. Therefore, back in 2016 she founded Naila Amin Foundation, a New York based organisation, working towards preventing child marriages in the United States. In 2017, Andrew Cuomo signed the bill to raise the age of consent to marry from 14 to 18. The law is called “Naila Law”. Amin also helped the state of New Jersey raise the minimum age of marriage to 18. However, there are still 44 states in the United States where child marriage is legal, and Naila Amin Foundation’s mission is to end child marriage in all 50 states of the United States.

Naila Amin perfectly emulates Goddess Brahmacharini, the second incarnation of Durga. Naila, like Goddess Brahmacharini, possesses the power and devotion to bring positive changes in the society as well as she has the quality of rock solid determination of never giving up. Her own struggle and fight for justice for Child Marriage victims has now led to saving the future of several childbrides in the US.

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