Fahamida Islam Shifa is a 16-year-old girl from West Titar Para, Ward 03, Kacchapia Union of Ramu Upazila in Cox's Bazar. Shifa grew up in a remote village surrounded by lush green forests, hills, and winding roads. The community she belongs to is conservative, with strong beliefs about education and early marriage for girls. In this village, most girls face child marriage, and education is often seen as unnecessary. Shifa has one brother and five sisters in her family, making them a large family in a society that still believes having daughters is a curse.

Despite the odds, Shifa wanted to break free from this mindset. She was inspired by the education of her older sisters, but societal pressure forced her mother to marry them off early. Now, it was Shifa's turn. As she was studying in 9th grade, her family began pressuring her to marry a man working in Dubai. Shifa's mother believed that if she didn’t get married soon, she would "become too old" to find a good match, a common belief in her community.

But Shifa had other dreams. She wanted to continue her studies, become educated, and work for the betterment of her people. The idea of marriage at such a young age made her anxious and depressed. She didn’t know who to turn to for help. One day, while sitting alone under a tree, she kept asking herself how she could stop her marriage.

Her journey took a new turn when she joined the COC Girls Group of the LEAP project run by Mukti Cox's Bazar. Through the LEAP project, Shifa attended 08 sessions focused on various topics, including the harmful effects of child marriage, menstrual health, and personal development. For the first time, she learned that menstruation is a natural process and understood the importance of hygiene during periods. Before these sessions, Shifa, like many girls in her community, believed in harmful taboos surrounding menstruation. She didn’t know that she could continue her daily activities, eat healthy foods, and maintain proper hygiene during her period.

Shifa also learned about the dangers of child marriage and the laws protecting girls from this practice. This information gave her the courage to stand up for herself. She shared with her mother everything she had learned, but her mother turned a deaf ear, insisting on the marriage. Feeling helpless but determined, Shifa decided to take a bold step and talk to Shimu, the LEAP mentor from Mukti Cox's Bazar. With Shimu's support, they brought in a local women leader, who explained the legal consequences of child marriage to Shifa's parents. After understanding the risks, including potential jail time and fines, her parents finally agreed to stop the marriage and let Shifa continue her education.

"I was scared and felt alone when my family pushed me towards marriage, but I knew deep inside that I wanted more from life. Joining the COC Girls Group opened my eyes to the rights I never knew I had. Learning about menstrual health and the harms of child marriage gave me the strength to stand up for myself. With the help of Mukti Cox's Bazar and the mentor, I was able to stop my marriage and continue my studies. Now, I want to use my voice and my story to help other girls in my community so that they don’t face the same challenges I did. I believe every girl deserves the chance to dream and live a better life." - Fahamida Islam Shifa

This victory changed Shifa's life. She became more confident and joined the Girls Out Loud platform, where she began sharing her experiences and raising awareness about important issues like menstrual health, child marriage, and gender-based violence. She now holds regular sessions in her community, educating young girls, mothers, and even local leaders on these critical topics.

Shifa’s efforts have started to bring real change to her community. Today, most of the women and girls in her area regularly visit community clinics for health services, including iron supplements, something that was rare before. Thanks to Mukti Cox's Bazar and the LEAP project, funded by Global Affairs Canada and technically supported by Plan International Bangladesh, Shifa has become a beacon of hope. She is not only shaping her future but also ensuring that no other girl in her community has to face the same struggles she did.

Shifa’s story is one of courage, resilience, and determination to create a better world for herself and others. Through education and awareness, she has proven that even in the face of deep-rooted traditions, change is possible. She dreams of continuing her education and working for the welfare of her country. And now, with the support of her community, she is on her way to making that dream a reality.