Get rid of it

Representative image. photo: www.cbm.org

I am Mollicka, 20 years old, from Jhikorgacha, Jessore. I was married off at the age of 14. My father was a rickshaw puller. With his ill health, it was very difficult for him to maintain the seven members' family. I had to stop going to school after class V and used to help my mother in household chores. Because I was another mouth to feed my family decided to marry me off.
My husband was also young. He was only 19 years old when we married in the belief that he would shun bad company and take on more family responsibilities.
I became pregnant soon after we married. At the time, the prospect of becoming a mother frightened me. However, I had to yield to the expectation of my in-laws. My mother-in-law repeatedly told me that early pregnancy is good for health and it lessens childbearing complications. My elder sister informed me about contraceptive usage but my husband refused to take it. I did not get a chance to consult a doctor or a family health worker. No health worker visited our home.
When I went into labour it was the village midwife who came to assist but because of complications I was moved to Jessore District Hospital in a critical condition where my baby was born. However, after returning home I noticed some unusual changes. I was unable to urinate in the usual way. I was leaking urine continuously and was wet with urine the whole time. I was scared. After a week I told my husband and he informed his mother about this. I feel very ashamed because of the foul smell. We consulted a doctor. He proposed an operation and we agreed.
After having the operation, things remained unchanged. My suffering continued. My husband was not willing to visit the doctor again. My in-laws insulted me. Things were getting worse and one day my husband beat me severely. Because I was unable to withstand the torture, I returned to my father's house with my child. My husband divorced me with some compensation because he did not want to live with someone who smelled the whole time and was wet with urine. My dreams of a happy family was shattered.
Later I came to Dhaka with my elder sister and underwent an operation in Dhaka Medical College where I was told that I had a urinary fistula which was a result of the complication I suffered during the delivery of my baby. Because I was so young and not fully grown my body was not prepared for having a baby. I was finally cured after 4 years of suffering from this dreadful condition.
Today I work in a garment factory and live with my child. When I look back on those terrible days when I was a young girl and went through such suffering and despair with no one to understand what I was going through I feel very sad. I have decided that I will not let my daughter make the same mistake of marring at an early age.