Irina knew marriage and its challenges at a young age. She got married at almost 16 to a 20-year-old man, hoping for a happy life with his love. Unfortunately, her dream turned into a nightmare because of her aggressive husband. Irina grew up without a father from the age of one, being educated by a widowed mother with three children, who managed to overcome all obstacles.

"My mother taught me that a woman, if she has the first chosen man, must be faithful to him, not to divorce. She must listen to him and do everything so that there is harmony in the family",  Irina remembers. But despite her best efforts, her husband became increasingly abusive.

A home destroyed by violence

Irina's first child was born when Irina was only 18 years old. "Over time, the problems started... He started drinking alcohol, he started hitting, talking very, very vulgarly. I listened, I fought...", she tells. The situation worsened when Irina became pregnant with her second child. Although those who knew the abuser advised her to terminate the pregnancy, she refused, trusting in her strength to overcome any obstacle.

"When the second girl was born, bigger problems started, stronger blows, until I ended up in a coma. I could not be here today."  The physical, psychological and financial abuse was constant, and Irina was not allowed to talk to her parents or anyone else. One morning, her mother decided it was time to intervene and helped her run away with the children, leaving all her personal belongings behind. "I left everything behind, nothing mattered anymore. I left with two children in hand."

Transformation after divorce

After six years of torment, Irina managed to escape. "I was young and I didn't know how to get out of this vicious circle. I wasn't telling anyone, no one knew the situation. Maybe I would still be there today if I didn't have help, but maybe I wouldn't be on the face of the earth anymore. There were moments when I thought I was done... I'm dead," she recalls. With the support of her mother, Irina moved to Chisinau and enrolled in various beauty courses: manicure, pedicure, haircut, makeup, massage, extensions and lamination of eyebrows and eyelashes. "This field attracted me. It was a wish of mine since I was little. I really like my job and I'm really happy that my dream has come true."

A successful woman

Despite the difficulties, she opened her own business and has been working in the beauty industry for eight years, now having her own practice and teaching courses. He does what he likes, he is among women, he is in constant communication and he is appreciated. "When I was with him, none of this could be afforded to me. I didn't have the right to work, I didn't have the right to dress the way I wanted, nor to put on make-up, nor to dress up - I didn't have the right to anything. I was very humiliated that he considered me a nobody, who needed nothing."

Irina now speaks calmly and freely about the past, believing that all these experiences have transformed her into a strong and independent woman. As a mother of girls, Irina teaches them self-respect and the importance of making the right choices in life. "After I got divorced, I was born again. That was a story that was a lesson for me. A hard lesson that made me very strong. I want my girls to be independent and free. We can do anything, as long as we have the desire in our hearts."

Advice for other women

Irina now works with women who have gone through similar situations, attending meetings with survivors of domestic violence, offering them support and encouragement. She strongly believes that in order to overcome fear, you must have courage and surround yourself with good people to help you. "I talk to women who have been through the same situation. I want to help them. I tell them my situation and I am ready to contribute further. I had many people who encouraged me. You have to dare to ask for help.”

Irina's story is one of survival and courage. She is a living example of inner strength and determination to overcome any obstacle to build a new and fulfilling life.