This Giving Tuesday, let’s give to those who are escaping forced and child marriages in the U.S. during a pandemic.
Meet Mariam.*
Mariam* was 16 when her parents informed her she was going to marry her much older cousin.
She cried and pleaded but was powerless to stop them. Laws in much of the U.S. allow parents to marry off their children but often deny those children the right to leave home, enter a shelter or even file for divorce. Few laws and policies exist to punish or prevent the forced marriage of adults too.
So Mariam turned to us. We are the only organization dedicated to helping women, girls, LGBTQ individuals and others like Mariam to escape forced marriages — while also pushing relentlessly for social, policy and legal change to end forced and child marriage in the U.S.
“I had hope for myself and future knowing that [Unchained] would fight for me … and that I was not alone,” says Mariam.
We helped Mariam achieve safety; she is currently a college graduate with a promising future. Now we ask you to help us bring the same hope and safety to others.
YOU CAN SAVE LIVES LIKE MARIAM’S.
Due to the pandemic, we are receiving more requests for help from survivors in more desperate situations than ever before. And due to our 2020 legislative victories ending child marriage in two more states — Pennsylvania and Minnesota — more state legislators than ever want to take action.
But the financial crisis has sidelined many of our longtime funders, and the pandemic precludes us from hosting fundraising events to meet the increased need.
You can help. With your support, we can continue in 2021 to provide crucial, often live-saving services to survivors like Mariam, and we can continue to lead the growing national movement to end child marriage in every U.S. state.
Unchained At Last is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
