Afghan Teen Nila Ibrahimi (17) has been honored with the 20th International Children’s Peace Prize, the world’s most prestigious youth award. This recognition celebrates her courageous fight for girls’ rights in Afghanistan, serving as an inspiration and a beacon of hope for young people worldwide.
Nila Ibrahimi (17) received the prestigious award from Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman during a ceremony in Amsterdam’s Nieuwe Kerk. In her acceptance speech, Nila emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices of Afghan women and girls: “We must continue to give them strength and hope in their darkest times.”
Now residing in Canada, Nila joined an esteemed group of past winners, including Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg. During the event, she led a global singalong protest, accompanied by girls singing live from four continents and a 500-member choir on Amsterdam’s Dam Square. The performance, streamed worldwide, underscored her message for justice and education rights for Afghan girls.
Nila co-founded Her Story, a platform for Afghan girls to share their experiences and resilience. She continues to advocate for education and equality, particularly as the Taliban intensifies restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan. Marc Dullaert, founder of KidsRights, praised her leadership, calling her a worthy winner for her courageous efforts to give Afghan girls a global voice.