A 17-year-old girl, Gaala Adan Abdi, was murdered in Wajir, Kenya, after refusing a forced marriage to a 55-year-old man. She endured 27 days of abuse before her death, which followed a desperate warning to her family. Authorities have arrested the suspect and are investigating the case, drawing attention to the broader issue of forced marriages in the region.
A tragic incident occurred in Wajir, Kenya, where a 17-year-old refugee girl, Gaala Adan Abdi, was killed after refusing a forced marriage to a 55-year-old man. Gaala was abducted from the Dagahley refugee camp and taken to a remote village, where she faced persistent physical abuse for 27 days after rejecting the union. Her family reported that her body was later burned, indicating an attempt to destroy evidence.
In her final voice message to her parents, Gaala expressed her anguish, 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 made a desperate call warning her family that her life was at risk. Shortly thereafter, a relative communicated the devastating news that she had been killed.
An autopsy revealed that Gaala had been murdered prior to being set on fire. Authorities have apprehended Mohamed Kassim Tifow, the man to whom she was forced to marry, and he is currently under investigation. This harrowing case has shed light on the ongoing issue of forced marriages in the region, with further details yet to be provided by the police.
The murder of Gaala Adan Abdi highlights the grave issue of forced marriages, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as refugees. Her tragic story exemplifies the severe consequences of resisting such practices, and the urgent need for intervention and protection for young women in similar circumstances. The ongoing investigation serves as a critical step toward justice and raising awareness about this pressing social issue.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
