Zeyneb Ibrahim, a 22-year-old mother of two, resides in the Chifra woreda, in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. Her story is a heartbreaking account of a young girl who was stripped of her dreams and aspirations. She found herself forced into a family arranged marriage at the tender age of 18, a tradition deeply rooted in her community. Her dreams of pursuing education was thus shattered as she dropped out of school in the sixth grade.
Within a year of getting married, Zeyneb gave birth to her first child. This experience was particularly frightening for her as she felt that she was not mentally mature enough to take on the responsibilities of motherhood.
To compound her fears, Zeyneb had to give birth at home, as her family believed it to be the right way of doing things. Giving birth in the absence of a skilled birth attendant was quite an ordeal. This sudden transition of being a wife and a mother was undoubtedly overwhelming and demanding for a young person like Zeyneb who was still in the process of navigating her own personal growth and development. She had not anticipated or planned for such significant life changes at such a young age.
Zeyneb recalls that she lacked the emotional and mental maturity to handle the responsibilities that motherhood entailed. However, she also acknowledges that these experiences have shaped her into the resilient and determined person she is today.
Ensuring continuity of SRH and GBV services
The Chifra woreda is one of the districts in the Afar region that was heavily damaged by the recent conflict in northern Ethiopia. UNFPA has been working with the Afar Regional Government and other partners in recent years in implementing interventions on ensuring the continuity of SRH and GBV services in the woreda. The support consist of operationalizing maternity waiting homes, demand creation activities for maternal health services and operationalizing mobile health and nutrition team to provide SRH and GBV services and information’s in hard-to-reach areas. The support has been pivotal in tackling the challenge of high maternal deaths in the region.
Services are being delivered prioritized health centres and Primary Hospitals. Activities are also being undertaken on dissemination of information on available services and facilitating referral linkages for obstetric and GBV services to improve SRH and GBV services’ utilization. Awareness creation is being provided on antenatal and postnatal care, family planning, skilled delivery among women of reproductive age and facility-based safe motherhood, and STIs management.
Building resilience
Shortly after experiencing the joy of becoming a mother, Zeyneb was unexpectedly faced with another challenge. Her parents and siblings were involved in a car accident, leaving them injured and in need of care. This sudden turn of events placed an additional burden on her shoulders, as she had to take on the responsibility of looking after her family members.
Motherhood itself is already a significant challenge, requiring immense physical and emotional strength. The sleepless nights, constant feeding and cleaning of the baby, and the overwhelming responsibility of nurturing a new life can be demanding for any new parent.She quickly adapted to the demands of caring for her baby while also attending to the needs of her injured family members. It was undoubtedly a juggling act that required careful planning and organization, but she managed to fulfill her duties as a mother and a caregiver.
Looking back on this challenging period, she acknowledges that it was a test of her strength and endurance. The experience taught her valuable lessons about prioritization, time management, and the importance of seeking support from others. It also gave her a deeper appreciation for the resilience and capacity for love that mothers possess. Despite the difficulties she faced, she emerged from this ordeal stronger and more confident in her abilities as both a mother and a caregiver.
After successfully overcoming the initial challenges, Zeyneb found herself pregnant with her second child. This time around, she approached the situation with newfound confidence and determination. She recognized the importance of seeking antenatal care during her pregnancy and delivering at a health facility. She convinced her husband to support her decision.
Zeyneb's success as a mother extended beyond just managing her own family. She recognized the importance of education for her younger siblings and took it upon herself to convince her parents not to let them marry at a young age. Zeyneb understood that education was the key to their future success and wanted to ensure that they had the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Through persuasive arguments and heartfelt conversations, she was finally able to convince her parents to prioritize education over early marriage.
