When I was being sold into marriage, it was hard to see a future

"When I was being sold into marriage, it was hard to see a future for myself." These words spoken by Sonita Alizadeh, a young woman who fought against the cruel fate of child marriage, are a cry from the depths of the human soul. In these few words, we hear the echo of countless voices silenced by oppression, struggling to find hope in the face of an unjust world. Sonita’s story is a stark reminder of how fate can be twisted by the hands of others, and how the light of hope can flicker in the darkest of places. To understand the weight of this quote, one must look not only at the words themselves but at the journey of the soul behind them, a journey that transcends time and borders.

The ancient world, too, knew the harsh reality of fate imposed upon the vulnerable. Many daughters were given away, not as partners, but as mere commodities, their futures traded for dowries. In cultures of the past, as in some places today, marriage was often a binding contract made without the consent of the girl, who was seen not as an individual but as a possession to be exchanged. In those times, a woman’s freedom was not her own, and her voice was barely heard in the decisions that shaped her life. Like Sonita, many young women found themselves staring into an abyss where hope seemed impossible, a future unwritten and out of their hands.

Yet, as history has taught us, even in the darkest moments, the human spirit can rise. Consider the tale of Joan of Arc, who was born into a world where women were often relegated to secondary roles, yet she heard the call of her destiny. Despite the fact that she was a peasant girl, with no formal education and no prospects beyond marriage or farm work, Joan chose to follow a different path. She dared to see a future for herself—not one dictated by the choices of others, but one shaped by her own voice. Through her courage, she led armies, changed the course of history, and forever altered the perception of women in power.

In the same vein, Sonita Alizadeh's story is not merely one of victimhood, but of resilience and rebirth. Born in Afghanistan, a country where young girls are still often traded in exchange for marriage, she too was forced to see herself as a future that was not hers to choose. Yet instead of succumbing to despair, she found her voice in a way few have dared to. Through music, she spoke out against the practice of child marriage, and in doing so, she not only reclaimed her future but also began to inspire others to take control of their own lives. Her defiance is a testament to the power of the individual spirit and the transformative power of self-expression.

To understand this story fully, we must recognize that the struggle of Sonita is not a battle fought alone. Throughout history, countless women have had to fight against the chains that have bound them—whether in marriage, in society, or in their homes. They have faced challenges that seem insurmountable, and yet many have found ways to rewrite their stories. Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat on the bus, or Malala Yousafzai, who fought for the right to education in a world where girls were often denied that very right, both show us that one voice, when unyielding, can change the course of the world.

The lesson of Sonita Alizadeh’s quote is both a warning and an invitation. It warns of the dangers of a world where futures are dictated by forces beyond our control, where individuals are deprived of their agency. But it also offers an invitation to fight, to claim what is rightfully ours, to ensure that our voices are heard. When the future is dark, the only way to see through the darkness is by creating light, no matter how faint or distant it may seem.

To follow this lesson in our own lives, we must never accept a future dictated by others. We must challenge systems that deny autonomy and take every step, however small, toward creating a world where each individual, especially women, can define their own destiny. Sonita’s music, her activism, and her courage remind us that we are the architects of our futures, and the first step in shaping them is finding and using our voice. Whether through education, art, or simple acts of resistance, we all have the power to change the course of history. Let us rise, as many have before us, and never be afraid to dream of a future where we are free to walk our own path.