Advice for girls

All girls have rights

Especially for girls

All girls have rights: to a non-violent and self-determined life. To respect and freedom. To love who they want. If you feel that you are not being taken seriously, are not allowed to control your own body or are being threatened, you have the right to support - regardless of whether you are an immigrant or not. Then get help from people who are on your side.

What is girls' counseling?

Do you sometimes feel left out or patronized because you are a girl? Are you afraid to make a decision about your life? Are you worried because your family might have different plans for your future than you do? At a counseling center for girls, you can confide in a counselor: with all your worries and feelings, your experiences, dreams and plans for the future. Sometimes it's good to talk to someone about it. Together with the counselor, you can think about what can be changed and how you can tackle it.

What questions can I ask?

You can turn to an advice center with all your problems, difficulties and worries. No matter what issue you come with - you will be taken seriously here. For example,

if you feel torn between your country of origin and your new place of residence,
if you have been allowed to meet up with friends even less since puberty.
if you are strictly controlled by your family.
if you are afraid of being sent back to your country of origin.
if you have a boyfriend that your parents or brothers don't accept.
if you want to find out what you want for yourself.
if you want to do something about your fears.
if you feel lonely and are often sad.
if you want to develop your own plans for the future.
if you want to make an important decision and are looking for advice.
if you want more freedom and self-confidence.
if you are currently facing threats.
if you are experiencing violence at home.
if you are supposed to marry someone you don't love.

Be strong: Getting help is not weak, it's brave!

What can I do if I'm supposed to get married but don't want to?

Some families decide that their daughter should marry a stranger. However, if you are against it because you don't love the man or don't even know him yet, contact a counseling center. Also seek advice if you are very unhappy because you were forced to agree to your marriage.

Forced marriages are prohibited by law in Germany! Marriage is also forbidden if you are not yet 18 years old. For this reason, girls sometimes go on vacation with their families to their home country and are married there against their will. But: Love and marriage must never have anything to do with coercion! You have the right to decide freely whether and who you want to marry.

If you are looking for advice, contact the specialist advice center against forced marriage. Counseling is free and anonymous. It takes place over the phone, online or face to face:

Phone: 0521 5216879
SMS & Signal Messenger: 0178 6868396
Email: zwangsheirat@maedchenhaus-bielefeld.de
Online: via email or chat

Where can I find help and support?

In North Rhine-Westphalia, there are special services that are only there for girls and young women. These advice centers are staffed by women who are always on your side. You can also get advice there online and anonymously. You don't have to give your name if you don't want to. You will always receive support and, if you agree, help in crisis situations and housing offers. Many advice centers have advisors who speak the language of your country of origin.

Addresses of girls' shelters and girls' facilities in NRW can be found at Fachstelle Interkulturelle Mädchenarbeit.
Addresses of support facilities for girls and young women as well as women's advice centers in NRW can be found at Fachberatungsstelle gegen Zwangsheirat.