Noura Hussein’s, a South Sudanese teenager, was forced into a

child marriage and acted in self-defence.

The 19-year-old says her father made her contractually marry her cousin when she was 16, but she refused to accept the union and sought refuge with a relative for three years.

She returned to her family home on the outskirts of the capital Khartoum in April last year after her father said the marriage was cancelled, but found she had been duped and preparations for her wedding ceremony were under way.

Ms Hussein said she refused to have sex with her husband after the ceremony but on the sixth day, he raped her as three of his male relatives held her down to restrain her.

The following day, he attempted to rape her again and as she struggled to stop him, she stabbed and killed him.

A Sharia court, which follows Islamic religious law, found Ms Hussein guilty of premeditated murder last month and on Thursday officially sentenced her to death by hanging. Her lawyers have 15 days to appeal.

I think it is only fair for Noura to be freed and given the opportunity to continue with her education while her father should be jailed for forcing her into early marriage.

After all, that is what democracy is all about. Self defense is a human right and once we stop talking about matters that affect us directly, life loses meaning!

For the sake of other women and girls in Africa and the rest of the world, Noura needs your vote.