Madinatou, standing strong against all odds
Forced into marriage at 17, abandoned with two children, Madinatou has experienced violence, loneliness, and poverty. Thanks to the Jeune 3+1 program implemented by UNICEF under the PETVISIDAME project, she has regained control of her life.
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That evening, the gardens of the Dang town hall, in the heart of the university city of Ngaoundéré, were steeped in silence. A light rain fell on the concrete benches, creating an atmosphere filled with emotion. Madinatou sat down calmly, dressed in a white polo shirt bearing the logos of MINJEC, MINSANTE, UNICEF, and the PETVISAME project. Her pants, adorned with multicolored tassels, and her dark sneakers reflected both her resilience and her determination to move forward. She wore a gentle smile, in stark contrast to the gravity of the story she was about to share.
With a breath tinged with pain and dignity, she recounted her journey: losing her father at the age of 7, enduring years of silent abuse, being forced into marriage at 17, becoming a mother too soon, being abandoned, and living in poverty. A fate shared by far too many girls in the Adamawa region.
Madinatou was just 7 years old when her life changed forever. At an age when other children were skipping rope, she was living a nightmare. After her father passed away, her mother’s new partner became her tormentor. “From age 7 to 12, I lived in silent hell. Every time my mother sent me to him, he raped me. That’s when I saw blood for the first time, without understanding what was happening to me.”
Isolated and unsupported, she carried a burden far too heavy for her young shoulders. At 12, her uncles and aunts began offering her for marriage, hoping to benefit from her late father’s estate. Her younger brother tried to protect her, repeating, “She’s too young to marry.” He was her only shield until he was murdered at 17 by those he thought were friends. That day, Madinatou realized her voice no longer mattered.
I was only 12 when they wanted me to get married…
I nearly died giving birth to my second child. I was exhausted and torn, but I had to survive for them,
At 17, Madinatou was forcibly married to a man she didn’t choose. With her father and brother gone, no one was left to defend her. “I was alone, trapped in a fate I hadn’t chosen,” she whispers.
Her marriage brought no safety or stability only more suffering. Her husband abused her physically and emotionally. One day, he abandoned her without warning, leaving her with one child and another on the way.
She gave birth to her first child alone, paying for medical care with what little she had. The second birth was even more traumatic. “I nearly died giving birth to my second child. I was exhausted and torn, but I had to survive for them,” she recalls.
Society offered no help. A neighbor even suggested prostitution. “But I refused. I wanted my children to be proud of me, not ashamed of my past.” Society offered no help. A neighbor even suggested prostitution. “But I refused. I wanted my children to be proud of me, not ashamed of my past.”
While struggling to survive and raise her children, Madinatou heard about a sewing training opportunity in her community. She enrolled without hesitation—unaware that this would change her life.
Through this training, she discovered the Jeune 3+1 program, which combines education on sexual health, menstrual hygiene, life skills, and economic empowerment. Part of the PETVISIDAME project, funded by the Government of Cameroon and the Islamic Development Bank, and implemented by UNICEF and partners, the program opened new doors for her.
She began attending awareness sessions for young girls. “Little by little, I got involved in the activities.”
In these safe spaces, she learned about health, rights, autonomy, and sexuality topics she had never been allowed to discuss, even with her family. “I had a very painful childhood. I knew nothing about these things. Talking about sexuality was forbidden.”
Thanks to Jeune 3+1, she learned essential hygiene practices, infection prevention, how to use washable sanitary pads, and how to manage her reproductive health. She even participated in a workshop to make washable gloves at the Youth Promotion Center.
More importantly, she learned to stand up for herself. “They taught us how to be independent, how to survive. Thanks to 3+1, I learned to take care of myself, to say no. Now I sew, I train others, and most importantly… I speak.”
I had a very painful childhood. I knew nothing about these things. Talking about sexuality was forbidden
Today, Madinatou is doing better. She raises awareness among other girls through youth centers and HIV testing campaigns. Her once-hidden story is now a powerful tool for prevention. “My story isn’t unique. But I share it so other girls know they can overcome too.”
Her daughter, often present at sessions, is affectionately nicknamed “baby 3+1” by participants. Her name is Siyona. She turned two last month.
With her new skills and confidence, Madinatou started a small business making fabric bags and utensils from recycled materials. She sells them in her neighborhood, earning enough to feed and educate her children. “Thanks to these activities, I’m fulfilled. I no longer suffer like before. I’ve regained my dignity, and now I help other girls.”
Her commitment aligns with the recently launched Girls’ Movement in Cameroon a national initiative by and for girls to defend their rights, voice their priorities, and promote leadership.
Thanks to these activities, I’m fulfilled. I no longer suffer like before. I’ve regained my dignity, and now I help other girls
In Cameroon, according to the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey, 31% of girls are married before 18. In regions like Adamawa, the rate exceeds 50%. Behind these numbers are stories like Madinatou’s stolen childhoods, shattered futures, and violated rights.
Child marriage is a form of violence that robs girls of their childhood, education, and health. It exposes them to abuse, early pregnancies, and lifelong poverty. In regions like Adamawa, where over half of girls marry before 18, this practice destroys generations.
To end it, we must recognise it, denounce it, and act. Investing in girls’ education, protection, and empowerment is investing in a fairer, healthier, and more prosperous future for all.
Initiatives like PETVISIDAME and Jeune 3+1 show that a different path is possible. By providing girls with concrete tools sexual health education, menstrual hygiene, vocational training, psychosocial support these programs restore power, knowledge, and hope. The Girls’ Movement amplifies their voices and strengthens their leadership.
Madinatou’s story is proof: when we support girls, they turn pain into strength and become agents of change.
The PETVISIDAME project is supported by the valuable Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF), a $2.5 billion development initiative launched in 2016. Financed by an unprecedented global coalition, this fund includes the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD). These organisations are committed to lifting the poorest out of poverty in 33 IsDB member countries by addressing nine Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through projects in health, agriculture and basic infrastructure. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to these partners for their invaluable support.
