The Institution

Thankfully forced marriage and child brides are rare. But for many it’s still a place of danger, abuse, coercion and fear. Locked in the Institution akin to a Victorian Mental Institution with no sense of self, escape or power. We still ask the questions “But why didn’t she just leave?”, “Why didn’t she tell me?”, “Why didn’t she do anything?” about these seemingly strong, intelligent women who are abused in the safety of their marriage. And often the answer is they have been institutionalised into believing they deserve it, they nagged, they weren’t a good wife. Being strong does not mean staying silent.