Ohio passed a law raising the minimum marriage age to 18, with an exception for 17-year-olds. Dayton Daily News quotes Tahirih Senior Counsel for Policy and Strategy Jeanne Smoot:
“With the new law’s safeguards in place against forced marriages and other serious risks of marrying young, we hope it will make a significant difference in Ohio, improving protections for vulnerable girls and giving them a fighting chance at a safe and healthy future.”
I came to the U.S. in the winter of 2006. Life back home in Mexico was tough for me and my family. I dreamt of going to college and graduating but with my family’s economic status, that dream was too costly and impossible.
At least I was able to graduate high school and that is something I am proud of since I was also working at the time to help my family. I was always looking for an opportunity to have a better life as a young woman.
“I hope my story is helpful to someone else…and can inspire many women to be stronger. We need to help young women identify toxic relationships, so that there are fewer Camilas that go through such difficult things, let alone have our children suffer.”
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