OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGE OF EARLY MARRIAGE:
HALIMA’S JOURNEY WITH SMART START.
By Abduselam Ibrahim, Program (AYSRH Integration) Advisor & Fana Abay, Marketing and Communication Director, PSI Ethiopia
At just 19 years old, Halima Aba Temam from Gengeleta Kebele faced the daunting challenges of early marriage and motherhood. Once a high-achieving student with dreams of becoming a nurse, her life took a drastic turn at 16 when she fell in love with Nazif Siraj, a boy from her community. Without informing their parents, the young couple eloped to Sokoru and formalized their marriage soon after.
Suddenly, Halima found herself burdened with the responsibilities of marriage and, shortly after, motherhood. Just months into her marriage, she learned she was pregnant — with twins. At only 17, she gave birth to twin boys while grappling with financial instability, living with her mother-in-law, and her husband’s struggle to secure stable employment. The pressures of young motherhood and limited resources left Halima feeling overwhelmed.
Her story began to change when she encountered the Jalqabbii Gaarii initiative, also known as Smart Start, introduced by local Health Extension Workers. This innovative program provides young couples like Halima and Nazif with essential counseling on family planning and financial literacy. By connecting reproductive health with economic planning, Smart Start equips young families to make informed decisions for their well-being and future stability.
Through the Smart Start approach, Halima learned about the importance of birth spacing and its impact on her family’s economic situation. She also gained critical insights into saving and managing finances, which empowered her to plan for a more secure future. With the support of the program, Halima chose to use Implanon, a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC), allowing her to manage her reproductive health and focus on building a stable life for her growing family.
The financial planning component of Smart Start also had a profound impact on Halima’s family. With newfound financial discipline, she and Nazif began saving small amounts from their earnings, gradually working toward building their own home and securing a brighter future for their children. “My husband works as both a farmer and a daily laborer, and I support the family by making local snack known as Asanbusa,” Halima explains. “We are currently building our own home. Though raising our children has been difficult, my husband has been a supportive partner and friend throughout this journey.”
Reflecting on her experience, Halima shares a message of hope for others: “I advise girls to focus on their education and goals, rather than following the path I did. I am grateful to the Health Extension Workers who helped me make informed decisions about family planning and financial planning.”
Halima’s story is a testament to how Smart Start’s holistic approach, combining family planning and financial literacy, can transform the lives of young couples facing the challenges of early marriage.
PSI Ethiopia is working with the Ministry of Health to take Smart Start national, ensuring more young couples like Halima and Nazif have access to this life-changing program. By scaling this initiative, PSI Ethiopia aims to empower thousands of young families across the country to build stable and hopeful futures.
