Under armed attack, Lena Towai fled into the wilderness and gave birth in the dark – assisted only by a neighbour with a gunshot wound.

Dalia Asinde was married 16 years ago in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She was 22 and in love, she said. But her husband soon became violent – and relentless. She lost count of the beatings, insults and torments he delivered.

I woke up one morning, and my father told me that we were poor and needed money,” said Faith Kiraison, describing the moment she learned she was engaged. She was 11 years old at the time.