Tent Chat: “I went to a wedding without knowing it was my own”
Date:

UN Women Türkiye brought together women and girls working as seasonal agricultural workers, creating a safe space for them to share their personal experiences with child, early, and forced marriages (CEFM)—a practice still seriously common in their communities.
In Adana, Türkiye, known for its fertile lands, produces a variety of crops year-round, drawing in a temporary population of seasonal workers from other cities close by, a “Tent Chat” was undertaken deep into the agricultural fields.
"Tent Chats," an initiative by UN Women Türkiye aimed at providing a safe space for women to discuss the challenges they face, particularly regarding child, early, and forced marriages (CEFM). These discussions not only allowed the women to share their stories but also raised awareness about the harmful effects of such practices.
The drive to agricultural fields revealed rows of blue tarp-covered tents, some sturdy and well-constructed, but most in poor condition. Outside many of these shelters, large old carpets lay on the ground, chairs were scattered about, and stacks of mattresses awaited the night.
Fatma*, who, at the age of 14, had been married to her cousin. Now a mother of eight, she remarked, "I was so young, just a child myself when I became a wife and mother. But I will never allow my daughter to marry at this age. I know how to report it now, and I will do that if necessary."
Almost every woman encountered had experienced a miscarriage, a common fact among those who became pregnant at a young age. When asked what action they would take if they saw someone attempting to marry off an underage daughter, their responses, "Marriage under the age of 18 is a form of violence, a crime," said Ayşe, a 54-year-old woman who was married at 15. "I would never want my daughter to marry before she’s 18."
One woman, Elif, aged 37, forced to marry at 13, she had to drop out of school. "I went to a wedding without knowing it was my own," she recalled. "They didn’t dress me in a wedding gown, so I wouldn’t be scared. I thought I was just at a random wedding, but it was mine. Now, I have five children." Her story illustrated the confusion and fear that many young girls experience, too young to fully comprehend what is happening to them.
Another conversation was held with Zeynep, a 40-year-old woman who had been married at 12. She had nine children and had suffered three miscarriages. "I was still a child when I had my first baby," she recounted. "To give birth and work in the fields at 16 is a burden too heavy for a child to bear. Everything was so difficult." Her account served as a stark reminder of the physical and emotional toll that early marriages and pregnancies have on young girls, thrust into adulthood before they are ready.

Through the facilitation of Tent Chats, UN Women aimed to raise awareness and provide education on the legal implications of CEFM, which remains prevalent in the region, while empowering women to take action within their communities. The long-term objective is to reduce the incidence of early marriages, support the enforcement of relevant laws, and foster a cultural shift that prioritizes the rights and futures of young girls.
Sustained efforts, including education, legal support, and community involvement, are essential in breaking the cycle of CEFM. UN Women's ongoing work in Türkiye is focused on these areas, aiming to protect future generations from the challenges faced by the women encountered during these discussions.
* The names have been changed to protect the identity of the individuals.