“I chose to be strong, and I'm proud of it”

For Leyla [1] (the name is conditional), spring is a time of new beginnings, optimism, and resurrection. The majority of people adore this time of year because the trees and flowers are in full bloom, the scenery is green and lovely, and spring is a symbol of vigor. However, these are not the main reasons for Leyla. For her, spring 2021 marked the start of a new chapter in her life. Leyla managed to escape from a life of suffering and darkness on April 6, 2021, by finding assistance at the shelter of Clean World – Aid to Women Public Union funded by USAID within “Counter Trafficking in Persons Activity” project, implemented by IOM and chose to overcome everything that makes her vulnerable, which signified the start of her blossoming life.

Leyla was born in 2005 in one of the rural regions of Azerbaijan. She is the second child in a family of four children, and she has three brothers. At the age of eight, her small and colorful world was darkened by a close male relative. Leyla was sexually abused by her uncle when she was eight years old, but this is only a small part of the seven-year horrific experience.  The offender who was addicted to alcohol attempted to force her as a child to work as a cleaner or servant so that he could buy alcohol with the money she earned.

By settling in the Clean World shelter, Leyla did not only change the living place but also the life that she was forced to live. She claims that being a strong person is the first thing she is determined to alter in her life. “I would never think that I can live this kind of life. I was even scared to dream about being strong” she said. Now, fortunately, she looks at life from a different perspective, in a more optimistic way.

Leyla has been in the Clean World shelter, which provides social, psychological, and legal assistance to victims of trafficking and people at risk of trafficking with the funds received by USAID in the frame of the IOM Counter Trafficking in Persons Activity, for over one year, and throughout that time, her life and mental state underwent a significant transformation. She was unable to read and write when she first entered the shelter, but now she has already graduated from ninth grade and has performed well on all her examinations. She highlighted that she had become more motivated and had set objectives since moving into the shelter because her dreams and ideas have evolved. With the huge support of the shelter psychologist and social workers, Leyla successfully completed the software coding and tailoring courses. In July 2022 she was awarded with a vocational education diploma on confectioner from Gabala Vocational School. “These achievements are just beginning as I have lots of dreams and I want them all come true. This success made me realize that I am very capable. Now I can make cakes for my brothers – says Leyla with a smile and proud of herself.

Success ultimately became Leyla's main driving force. As a result, she broke all the ice and kept presenting fresh opportunities. In line with the individual rehabilitation program developed by the shelter service providers her anxiety has lessened, and previous aggression has been replaced with compassion. If before moving to the shelter, Leyla dreamed to be even stronger to protect herself from any possible harms, today she wants to enroll in sports not because of fear and self-protection but she wants to teach sports in schools when she grows up.

"I want to grow up and be strong enough to support and assist the shelter as they are doing for me, and many others, today."

1] All names have been changed to pseudonyms to protect the identity and ensure the confidentiality of the victim.