Afghan girl who encouraged others to sing wins peace prize
Nila Ibrahimi, a 17-year-old Afghan activist, has been awarded the 2024 International Children's Peace Prize. The award honors her work for the rights of Afghan girls and women. Ibrahimi's activism started when, just 14, she protested against a ban on schoolgirls singing in public with a protest song that went viral. This culminated in the successful #IAmMySong campaign, which led to the ban being reversed.
Ibrahimi's journey from Afghanistan to international recognition
Notably, Ibrahimi was forced to flee Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. However, even after relocating, she remains committed to raising awareness about the plight of Afghan girls under Taliban rule. From Canada, she co-founded "Her Story," a platform for Afghan girls to share their experiences, and continues her advocacy work.
Ibrahimi highlights global impact of women's rights issues
Ibrahimi stresses that women's rights issues are global, saying, "If women's rights are suffering in one part of the world, the whole world will suffer in one way or another." The Taliban's return has resulted in extreme curbs on women's freedoms in Afghanistan. Girls above 12 are denied education and women are subjected to strict restrictions on public life. These actions have drawn global outrage for violating human rights.
Ibrahimi's acceptance speech underscores ongoing fight
During her acceptance speech at the award ceremony in Amsterdam, Ibrahimi emphasized her continued fight for Afghan women's rights. Marc Dullaert, founder of the KidsRights Foundation, lauded Ibrahimi's courage and resilience. He mentioned her selflessness in continuing advocacy efforts despite personal safety concerns. At the ceremony, Ibrahimi led a singalong of her protest song with participants across the world joining remotely.
Ibrahimi's plans and the significance of her award
Ibrahimi is now applying to study law at university, hoping to continue her advocacy work. The International Children's Peace Prize, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, highlights Ibrahimi's immense contributions to human rights and social justice worldwide. Previous recipients of the prestigious award include notable names such as Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai.
