Realized on assignment for Voice of America (VOA)

When child brides grow up and become women, their life is already sealed, as is their look: hard and conscious. According to a worldwide report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, over 650 million women alive today were married as children.

Child marriage is often followed by pregnancy and premature births, with higher above average maternal mortality rates. Orkida was 14 years old when she was given in marriage by her family in Albania; the dowry brought by her husband was used to get her elder sister treated. Today Orkida is 40 years old, has five children and is already a grandmother, having given one of her daughters, Bleona, in marriage at the age of 12. She, too, is mother of 3 children and is just 18 years old. From mother to daughter…a never ending circle. Always due to the same two factors: poverty and illiteracy. From Southern Asia to sub-Saharan Africa, passing through the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, right into the heart of Europe: every year at least 12 million girls are married before they reach the age of 18. This is 28 girls every minute. Marriage is not a choice for them; it marks, instead, the end of childhood and the beginning of an uncertain future, depriving them of the possibility to make decisions about their own lives, making them more vulnerable to violence and abuse. A transcultural phenomenon that unites distant peoples living in the same condition, as it is within the Roma community in Tirana, Albania. Here, for many families like that of Orkida, to give a little girl in marriage is as good a way as another to survive. Almost all of them, once they have come of age, already have several children to look after, often with their husbands in prison. Sometimes with puffy eyes or torn wedding pictures behind them. According to Save the Children, the majority of child brides have received limited education and vocational opportunities and, as a consequence of child marriage, often drop out of school or are not allowed to return. It’s difficult to get away from the invisible prison where they have been confined since an early age, some women nevertheless have succeeded. After suffering years of her husband’s alcoholism and beatings, Orkida decided to divorce him and became the leader of the Roman Organization “Catia e Gruas Rome”, which stands for the rights of the Roma minorities. Education, work and desegregation are the only antidote to prevent millions of little girls, everywhere in the world, from continuing to be sold as brides. From mother to daughter.

40-year-old Orkida Driza portrayed while standing in the window of her home. Orkida was given in marriage at the tender age of 14 by her family, she’s divorced now and has five children. Orkida is already a grandmother, having given her daughter in marriage at the age of 12. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza portrayed while standing in the window of her home. Orkida was given in marriage at the tender age of 14 by her family, she’s divorced now and has five children. Orkida is already a grandmother, having given her daughter in marriage at the age of 12. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A daily life scene in the settlement that hosts the Roma families living in Tirana. According to Save the Children, the majority of child brides have received limited education and vocational opportunities and, as a consequence of child marriage, often drop out of school or are not allowed to return. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A daily life scene in the settlement that hosts the Roma families living in Tirana. According to Save the Children, the majority of child brides have received limited education and vocational opportunities and, as a consequence of child marriage, often drop out of school or are not allowed to return. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
Half of a torn wedding photo of the groom, hanging on a wall inside a Roma community settlement in Tirana. Child marriage affects girls in far greater numbers than boys. According to Save the Children, every year, 12 million girls and young women all over the world marry before the age of 18. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
Half of a torn wedding photo of the groom, hanging on a wall inside a Roma community settlement in Tirana. Child marriage affects girls in far greater numbers than boys. According to Save the Children, every year, 12 million girls and young women all over the world marry before the age of 18. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
18-year-old pregnant Esmeralda Nuredini is seen inside a Roma community settlement in Tirana. Esmeralda got married at the age of 14. Every year, 12 million girls and young women throughout the world marry before the age of 18. According to UNICEF, if efforts are not accelerated, more than 150 million girls will marry before their eighteenth birthday by 2030. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
18-year-old pregnant Esmeralda Nuredini is seen inside a Roma community settlement in Tirana. Esmeralda got married at the age of 14. Every year, 12 million girls and young women throughout the world marry before the age of 18. According to UNICEF, if efforts are not accelerated, more than 150 million girls will marry before their eighteenth birthday by 2030. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
Two men are seen on a motorcycle cart in the vicinity of a complex of small apartments, a new housing solution for Roma families living in Tirana. Most of the men living in the settlement make a living working as waste pickers. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
Two men are seen on a motorcycle cart in the vicinity of a complex of small apartments, a new housing solution for Roma families living in Tirana. Most of the men living in the settlement make a living working as waste pickers. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
18-year-old Xhensila Bukri portrayed in front of her apartment with her 2-month-old son Arben Bukri on her lap and her daughters Megi (2 yrs old) and Pamela (3 yrs old) standing next to her. Xhensila was given in marriage at the tender age of 12, her husband is currently in prison. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
18-year-old Xhensila Bukri portrayed in front of her apartment with her 2-month-old son Arben Bukri on her lap and her daughters Megi (2 yrs old) and Pamela (3 yrs old) standing next to her. Xhensila was given in marriage at the tender age of 12, her husband is currently in prison. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A pair of pants hang on a railing in front of a school surrounding a Roma community settlement in Tirana. According to Save the Children, the relationship between child marriage and education is two-way. Child marriage is one of the leading reasons for school drop-out in low-income countries. At the same time, girls who are out-of-school are exposed to increased risk factors for child marriage. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A pair of pants hang on a railing in front of a school surrounding a Roma community settlement in Tirana. According to Save the Children, the relationship between child marriage and education is two-way. Child marriage is one of the leading reasons for school drop-out in low-income countries. At the same time, girls who are out-of-school are exposed to increased risk factors for child marriage. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza is seen talking with other members of the Romani community living in the settlement, while some kids play around a motorcycle cart . Orkida was given in marriage at the tender age of 14 by her family, she’s divorced now and has five children. She is currently the leader of the Roman Organization “Catia e Gruas Rome”, which stands for the rights of the Roma minorities in Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza is seen talking with other members of the Romani community living in the settlement, while some kids play around a motorcycle cart . Orkida was given in marriage at the tender age of 14 by her family, she’s divorced now and has five children. She is currently the leader of the Roman Organization “Catia e Gruas Rome”, which stands for the rights of the Roma minorities in Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A daily life scene in the settlement that hosts the Roma families living in Tirana. According to Save the Children, the relationship between child marriage and education is two-way. Child marriage is one of the leading reasons for school drop-out in low-income countries. At the same time girls who are out-of-school are exposed to increased risk factors for child marriage. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A daily life scene in the settlement that hosts the Roma families living in Tirana. According to Save the Children, the relationship between child marriage and education is two-way. Child marriage is one of the leading reasons for school drop-out in low-income countries. At the same time girls who are out-of-school are exposed to increased risk factors for child marriage. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A little stream in the vicinity of a complex of small apartments, a new housing solution for Roma families living in Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A little stream in the vicinity of a complex of small apartments, a new housing solution for Roma families living in Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some kids play around a motorcycle cart used to collect items picked from the trash to be resold. Child marriage affects girls in far greater numbers than boys. According to Save the Children, every year, 12 million girls and young women throughout the world marry before the age of 18. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some kids play around a motorcycle cart used to collect items picked from the trash to be resold. Child marriage affects girls in far greater numbers than boys. According to Save the Children, every year, 12 million girls and young women throughout the world marry before the age of 18. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza walks towards her home, while two boys are seen carrying their drums slung over their shoulders. Most of the men living in the settlement make a living working as waste pickers or playing drums in the street. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza walks towards her home, while two boys are seen carrying their drums slung over their shoulders. Most of the men living in the settlement make a living working as waste pickers or playing drums in the street. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some kids are playing with fake money on the sidewalk inside a Roma community settlement in Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some kids are playing with fake money on the sidewalk inside a Roma community settlement in Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
18-year-old Xhensila Bukri portrayed in her apartment with her 2-month-old son Arben Bukri on her lap, and her daughter Pamela (3 yrs old) sitting next to her. Xhensila was given in marriage at the tender age of 12, she has 3 children and her husband is currently in prison. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
18-year-old Xhensila Bukri portrayed in her apartment with her 2-month-old son Arben Bukri on her lap, and her daughter Pamela (3 yrs old) sitting next to her. Xhensila was given in marriage at the tender age of 12, she has 3 children and her husband is currently in prison. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
The bedroom of 19-year-old Bleona Driza. She was given in marriage at the tender age of 12 and she is already mother of 3 kids. According to Save the Children, the relationship between child marriage and education is two-way. Child marriage is one of the leading reasons for school drop-out in low-income countries. At the same time girls who are out-of-school are exposed to increased risk factors for child marriage. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
The bedroom of 19-year-old Bleona Driza. She was given in marriage at the tender age of 12 and she is already mother of 3 kids. According to Save the Children, the relationship between child marriage and education is two-way. Child marriage is one of the leading reasons for school drop-out in low-income countries. At the same time girls who are out-of-school are exposed to increased risk factors for child marriage. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the complex of small apartments realized in 2018 for the Tirana District’s project “New House–New Life: Rehabilitation of Roma Community Settlement”, funded in 2016 by the Italian-Albanian Debt for Development Swap Agreement (IADSA) to cope with the housing emergency of the Romani families living in the area. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the complex of small apartments realized in 2018 for the Tirana District’s project “New House–New Life: Rehabilitation of Roma Community Settlement”, funded in 2016 by the Italian-Albanian Debt for Development Swap Agreement (IADSA) to cope with the housing emergency of the Romani families living in the area. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
Young men and girls are seen playing around a motorcycle cart used to collect items picked from the trash to be resold by waste pickers living in the community. Child marriage affects girls in far greater numbers than boys. According to Save the Children, every year, 12 million girls and young women all over the world marry before the age of 18. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
Young men and girls are seen playing around a motorcycle cart used to collect items picked from the trash to be resold by waste pickers living in the community. Child marriage affects girls in far greater numbers than boys. According to Save the Children, every year, 12 million girls and young women all over the world marry before the age of 18. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza portrayed in the courtyard of her home. Orkida was given in marriage at the tender age of 14 by her family, she’s divorced now and has five children. She is currently the leader of the Roman Organization “Catia e Gruas Rome”, which stands for the rights of the Roma minorities in Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza portrayed in the courtyard of her home. Orkida was given in marriage at the tender age of 14 by her family, she’s divorced now and has five children. She is currently the leader of the Roman Organization “Catia e Gruas Rome”, which stands for the rights of the Roma minorities in Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A daily life scene inside a Roma community settlement in Tirana. According to Save the Children, the relationship between child marriage and education is two-way. Child marriage is one of the leading reasons for school drop-out in low-income countries. At the same time girls who are out-of-school are exposed to increased risk factors for child marriage. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A daily life scene inside a Roma community settlement in Tirana. According to Save the Children, the relationship between child marriage and education is two-way. Child marriage is one of the leading reasons for school drop-out in low-income countries. At the same time girls who are out-of-school are exposed to increased risk factors for child marriage. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza is seen with her three grandchildren Vjollca (5 yrs old), Sabina (3 yrs old) and Rexhepi (3 months old) on the bed of her 19-year-old daughter Bleona, who is resting under the covers next to them. Orkida was given in marriage at the tender age of 14 by her family, her daughter Bleona got married at 12 years old. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza is seen with her three grandchildren Vjollca (5 yrs old), Sabina (3 yrs old) and Rexhepi (3 months old) on the bed of her 19-year-old daughter Bleona, who is resting under the covers next to them. Orkida was given in marriage at the tender age of 14 by her family, her daughter Bleona got married at 12 years old. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A daily life scene in the settlement that host the Roma families living in Tirana. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, worldwide, more than 650 million women alive today were married as children. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
A daily life scene in the settlement that host the Roma families living in Tirana. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, worldwide, more than 650 million women alive today were married as children. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza is seen with her 3-month-old grandson Rexhepi on her lap. Orkida was given in marriage at the tender age of 14 by her family and she is already a grandmother, having given one of her daughters in marriage at the age of 12. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza is seen with her 3-month-old grandson Rexhepi on her lap. Orkida was given in marriage at the tender age of 14 by her family and she is already a grandmother, having given one of her daughters in marriage at the age of 12. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
28-year-old Besnik Aliu and his 20-year-old wife Erjona Aliu are portrayed sitting next to each other in their home. Erjona was only 15 years old when they got married and she is now pregnant with their third child. According to UNICEF, of the 16 million adolescent girls who give birth every year, about 90 per cent are already married. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
28-year-old Besnik Aliu and his 20-year-old wife Erjona Aliu are portrayed sitting next to each other in their home. Erjona was only 15 years old when they got married and she is now pregnant with their third child. According to UNICEF, of the 16 million adolescent girls who give birth every year, about 90 per cent are already married. Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza is seen walking along with other members of the Romani community living in the settlement. Orkida was given in marriage at the tender age of 14 by her family, she’s divorced now and has five children. She is currently the leader of the Roman Organization “Catia e Gruas Rome”, which stands for the rights of the Roma minorities in Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli
40-year-old Orkida Driza is seen walking along with other members of the Romani community living in the settlement. Orkida was given in marriage at the tender age of 14 by her family, she’s divorced now and has five children. She is currently the leader of the Roman Organization “Catia e Gruas Rome”, which stands for the rights of the Roma minorities in Tirana, Albania 2019. © Matteo Bastianelli

FROM MOTHER TO DAUGHTER (2019)