Scheherazade was no ordinary bride—she was a survivor. In One Thousand and One Nights, she was forced to marry King Shahryar, a man who wed virgins only to execute them the next morning. But Scheherazade refused to be another forgotten victim. With courage and wit, she wove captivating stories night after night, delaying her death until the king saw her as more than just another bride—he saw her as irreplaceable.

Her story is not just a legend; it echoes the reality of countless women today still trapped in forced marriages, their voices silenced by tradition and fear. Scheherazade reminds us that storytelling is power, and every woman deserves the right to choose her own destiny.

Forced marriages aren't limited to one culture or religion. They are most common in regions where traditional, patriarchal, and religious customs strongly influence gender roles and family structures. Forced marriages have been reported around the world including some western societies:

• Mormon Fundamentalists Sects

• Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Communities

• Some Evangelical Christian Groups ex: the Quiverfull Movement

• Amish Communities

• Hasidic Jewish Communities

The reality of forced marriage is so widespread that it’s impossible to list all the women affected by it. But Scheherazade’s legacy of defiance reminds us that we can change the narrative—one voice, one story at a time.