Sulton Abdullahi: Healing Child Marriage Survivors in Nigeria
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
Q. What motivated you to take action against child marriage?
Years back, I came across a friend who informed me that she was getting married at that time, and she was only 12 years old. I could not comprehend the gravity of the situation, as I was also very young then. Later, she was married to someone much older than her. The pain she went through transformed my perspective on child marriage. Following this, I became determined to be part of sensitisation programmes to create awareness and to help people who are trapped in such situations and wish to break free from them.
Q. What is your goal of being part of the mission to end child marriage?
I travel to meet survivors of child marriage and abuse and speak with them about their experiences. I help them understand the harm they have endured and support them in coping with it. The memories of such traumatic experiences often stay with them for a lifetime, so counselling and continued support are very important.
Q. From a psychological perspective, what can be the ways to deal with child marriage survivors?
One of the most effective methods through which healing is possible is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In addition to this, I also conduct motivational sessions and introduce coping mechanism techniques to assist survivors in overcoming trauma and reducing the severe impact these experiences have had on their minds. Furthermore, in some cases, when necessary, intensive therapy, including medication can also be helpful.
Q. What are some long-term mental health concerns of child marriage?
In cases of child marriage, girls are forced into sexual activities at a very young age. The trauma and pain resulting from such abuse often stay with them for a long time. In many cases, they struggle to be themselves and withdraw from society. They are no longer able to live freely. Sexual abuse due to child marriage are deeply traumatic experiences for these girls, and I work to help them overcome such trauma.
One example I could highlight is when I was asked to serve as a therapist for students in Nigeria who had experienced abuse. I engaged with them through mental psychological support sessions, helping them recognise their strengths and understand that they were capable of overcoming their trauma and building a better future. Mental health and psychological therapies with these students were highly successful, as they supported them in healing and regaining confidence.
About Sulton Abdullahi
Sulton Abdullahi is a dedicated psychologist in clinical practice and psychotherapist. Passionate about mental health advocacy, he fuses deep empathy with compelling storytelling to spark growth and resilience in communities worldwide.
Fueled by a growth mindset, he creates poems, blogs, and motivational content for platforms like LinkedIn, reaching global audiences. He thrives on empowering others through genuine connection, heightened awareness, and transformative ideas. Whether in clinical practice at Mind Lab Clinic, Federal Medical Center or creative pursuits, Sulton is committed to fostering brighter minds everywhere.
About the Interviewers
Gayatri Menon is a development professional and researcher with 10 years of experience working with children. She specialises in program management, monitoring & evaluation, research, and stakeholder coordination across government, NGOs, and international platforms. She is currently a Consultant for the global Child Marriage Free World campaign, she leads partner mobilisation across 40+ countries. She submitted her PhD Thesis in Social Work at the University of Delhi.
Aswathy Nair is a strategic communications and content professional with over 7.5 years of experience across government, media, and development sectors. Proven expertise in public communication campaigns, content development, media coordination, and multilingual storytelling. Experienced in working with government institutions, international stakeholders, and media houses to design, execute, and evaluate high-impact communication initiatives.
