Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Bob the Builder Award: Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced
"One of 16 children living in squaler in Yemen, Nujood was married off at about age 10. Though her husband vowed he'd wait for sex until she reached puberty, he raped her on their first night together. After months of abuse, Nujood goes to the courthouse, where with heartbreaking naivete she tells a judge she wants a divorce. Supported by the legal system, Nujood gets her wish. A dividend: Her case has brought international exposure to the archaic practice of robbing girls of their youth--half the girls in Yemen are married before age 18. Nujood's story ends with her back in school, given a rare second chance to start her childhood over again."