Married by Force is the devastating testimony by an exceptionally brave Muslim woman about the nightmare of her forced marriage. The book, which became a massive bestseller in France, exposes a cruel and inhumane practice that may be far more widespread than we realize.
Leila was born and brought up in France by Moroccan-born parents. But her romantic dreams were shattered when she was forced by her father to marry a man she’d never met, fifteen years older than her, and whose language she couldn’t understand.
The husband she didn’t love beat her regularly in an attempt to force her into submission. With extraordinary courage, Leila fought back against the weight of family tradition to regain her liberty and dignity. And despite the very real risks, she has left her husband and speaks out openly against the evils of forced marriage.
Leila is now 29 years old, and lives with her young son in Paris. She speaks out frequently in the media against the evils of forced marriage; but still prefers not to reveal her surname, to avoid causing her family further shame. The book was first published in France, where it caused a storm of controversy.