In the first section of the film, Edna Ali introduces the subject of arranged marriage and the detrimental impact the practice has on young girls in Somalia. The film aims to raise awareness on how forced marriage prevents teenage girls from accessing education, and can cause emotional trauma, violence and potentially death.

The second part of the film shows a fictional rendering of a potentially real scenario, in which a teenage girl is forced into an arranged marriage with an older man. Facing the possibility of being thrown out of her family home, the girl consults with her friend, and they decide 

Edna Ali is a board member of Happy Women’s Group, who support women who are navigating the asylum, refugee and migration journey. They focus on tackling issues around FGM, domestic violence and poverty, and offer community advice to women from ethnic minority backgrounds. 

 Mild content warning: This film features discussions of violence against women and girls.

The Migrant Centre NI offers a range of services to migrant communities in Northern Ireland, tackling racism and supporting both newly arrived and settled groups.

Their work includes advocacy training, including non-violent communication and conflict resolution. They offer financial health and immigration advice, support victims of racist hate crimes and incidents, and lobby policy makers towards greater rights for a more just immigration system.

As part of the project Migrant and Ethnic Minority Peace Builders in Northern Ireland, a programme of events including educational sessions, museums trips, storytelling sessions and more engage migrants in the history of Peace Building in Northern Ireland, and give a voice to the experiences of individuals.

A film by Edna, Safa and Seynab

• Migrant Centre NI