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, a movement dedicated to end violence against women, takes place on Feb. 14, and CU-Boulder students, faculty and staff are invited to attend several campus performances and discussions at the UMC from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.听

One of those performances, a theatrical performance called 鈥淐hild Bride,鈥� will be performed by CU-Boulder student, Lima Esslam, a senior pursuing a degree in women and gender studies.

Esslam鈥檚听performance will reflect her experience growing up in Afghanistan and coming to understand the pressure that young women face in accepting offers for arranged marriage. Esslam recently went back and forth to Afghanistan for family weddings, and during these experiences, she became more aware of the reality that young Afghan women face.

鈥淚 found out more about how girls are getting married at a young age, and I read about it and did more research,鈥� said Esslam, who also volunteers at CU-Boulder's 听. 鈥湴低�禁区 57 percent of girls who are under the age 16 are forced into marrying an older man.鈥�

Esslam explained that arranged marriages have not historically represented such an age gap. But because there are less young men present during years of war, more families are offering their young daughters to marry older men. Additionally, marriage symbolizes both honor and security for the bride and her family.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a cultural thing. Even if a girl receives an education and goes out on her own, she might not be safe. She might get kidnapped,鈥� Esslam said. 鈥淭hen there would be a spot on the family鈥檚 honor.鈥�

Along with her parents and five brothers, she came to the United States in 2004, spending the latter part of her childhood in Thornton. Looking at both CU-Boulder and Denver campuses, she chose Boulder for its 鈥渞efreshing鈥� environment.

鈥淲hen I came to visit here, it felt like I wanted to study,鈥� Esslam said. She hopes to work with organizations interested in women鈥檚 safety and women鈥檚 education. Returning to Afghanistan, she said, is part of her long-term goal.

鈥淚t could be dangerous for me, but I鈥檓 not really scared,鈥� said Esslam. 鈥淚 could build up a dozen lives there.鈥�

Esslam鈥檚 performance for 鈥淐hild Bride鈥� was inspired by a class she took, called 鈥淧erforming Voices of Women.鈥� During the semester, each student created four theatrical performances to share with fellow classmates on a given topic. After Esslam鈥檚 final performance, originally titled 鈥淐hild Marriage,鈥� theater professor encouraged her to connect with One Billion Rising.

鈥淓ducation is freedom,鈥� said Esslam. 鈥淚t helps women get out of the box and break all the barriers. It gives them the freedom to share their voice.鈥�

To see Esslam鈥檚 performance among others, RSVP at 听to help planners accommodate. More information can be found on and 鈥� and attendees are encouraged to join the media sphere: , , , and the hashtags #CUBoulder and #1BillionRising. CU-Boulder is partnering with听the City of Boulder and the Boulder Valley School District to host the One Billion Rising events.