In a historic moment of recognition, 17-year-old Nila Ibrahimi, a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, was awarded the 20th International Children’s Peace Prize in Amsterdam. Selected from 165 nominees across 47 countries, Nila’s relentless advocacy for girls’ education and rights in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s oppressive regime earned her the prestigious accolade presented by Yemeni Nobel laureate Tawakkol Karman.
Nila’s journey began in the Hazara-dominated neighbourhood of Dashti Barchi in western Kabul, a region that has suffered frequent attacks by the Taliban and ISIS, targeting schools, educational centres, and even maternity hospitals. Despite these challenges, Nila flourished as a student at Marefat High School, where she actively participated in extracurricular activities, including her role in the “Sound of Afghanistan” music band. Through their songs, the band championed peace, gender equality, and democracy.
Nila’s life is deeply intertwined with the struggles of the Hazara people, an ethnic minority in Afghanistan who have faced over a century of systemic persecution
In 2021, when the Kabul Education Directorate banned girls over 12 from singing publicly, a then-13-year-old Nila defied the directive with the protest song that fuelled the #IAmMySong campaign. The song went viral, symbolising resistance and hope for Afghan girls silenced under draconian laws.
Following the Taliban's takeover in 2021, Nila and her family fled to Pakistan before resettling in Canada. But her activism did not waver. In Canada, she co-founded “Her Story,” a platform amplifying the voices of Afghan girls, sharing their stories of resilience and advocating for their rights on the global stage.
Nila’s life is deeply intertwined with the struggles of the Hazara people, an ethnic minority in Afghanistan who have faced over a century of systemic persecution. From ethnic cleansing and land seizures to exclusion from governmental and economic opportunities, the Hazara community has endured relentless discrimination under a political system dominated by Pashtun nationalism.
Nila grew up and pursued her education in Dashti Barchi, a neighbourhood where girls faced severe restrictions and violence. Educational institutions like the Sayed Ul-Shuhada girls' school and Kaaj Educational Centre were frequent targets of attacks by the Taliban and ISIS over the past decade.
“Winning the International Children’s Peace Prize will mean that the voices of Afghan women and girls will echo across the world,” Nila said during her acceptance speech. “We must all continue to give them strength and hope in the darkest of times.”
Her recognition is not just a personal achievement but a reminder of the resilience of girls and women in Afghanistan who continue to fight for their fundamental rights in the face of relentless adversity. As the world applauds her courage, Nila Ibrahimi has become a symbol of resistance, hope, and the enduring power of education and advocacy to transform lives.
Nila’s work through “Her Story” and her message of global solidarity highlight the importance of collective action in ensuring the protection of the rights of girls and women in Afghanistan. Her story resonates far beyond Afghanistan, serving as an inspiration for young activists worldwide.
In a time when oppressive regimes attempt to silence the most vulnerable, Nila Ibrahimi’s voice rings louder than ever, proving that a determined spirit can spark global change even in exile.