How a Forced Marriage Survivor Built a Global Movement

At 16, Laila Eshan is forced into an arranged marriage that cuts her off from education, independence, and the future she imagined. Years later, she faces a defining question: how does someone rebuild when freedom has never felt like an option? In this deeply personal conversation, the author and founder of I Want Freedom traces the decisions that move her from survival into real estate, authorship, and humanitarian advocacy. She examines the hidden mechanics of forced marriage, the silence that protects abuse, and why girls’ education can change the direction of entire families. Along the way, she reveals how health, consistency, motherhood, and one decision at a time become tools for moving forward. Her journey raises a larger challenge: can one woman’s testimony become a global movement for millions of girls still waiting to speak?

Key Takeaways

• Freedom can begin with one small decision, even before the full path forward becomes clear.

• Education and financial independence give girls and women more power to leave controlling situations.

• Real estate becomes Laila’s practical route toward supporting herself and her four children.

• Health, fitness, consistency, and a forward-focused mindset help her manage pressure while rebuilding.

• Awareness becomes a movement when personal testimony leads to safe housing, education, and direct support.

Notable Quotes

• “My ultimate goal was to allow this to be a movement and not just to be an awareness.”

• “I needed help. I needed escape. I needed to be in a safe home.”

• “Real estate for me saved my life.”

• “This is definitely the beginning, but it’s not going to be the end.”

• “If we all gather our voices together, we can make a difference in this world.”