A 17-year-old girl has fled a forced marriage in a country where girls are barred from school. The teenager crossed into a neighbouring state. She is seeking asylum.
Her escape is a sharp rebuke to the regime's claims of protecting women. Western diplomats are scrambling. Family planning NGOs see a propaganda win.
This girl's story will be weaponised in the aid debate. Watch for the backbenchers demanding action. And for the foreign office's quiet pragmatism.








