RASC News Agency: Neela Ebrahimi, a 17-year-old Afghanistani advocate, has been awarded the prestigious International Children’s Peace Prize for her exceptional efforts in championing the rights of Afghanistani girls. Selected from a pool of 165 nominees across 47 countries, Neela joins the ranks of past laureates, including environmental activist Greta Thunberg and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. According to the KidsRights Foundation, which oversees the award, Ebrahimi’s initiative, “Girls’ Stories,” has given a powerful voice to Afghanistani girls suffering under the repressive rule of the Taliban.
The foundation lauded Ebrahimi in a statement: “Her brave and transformative work in advocating for the rights of Afghanistani girls has made her a beacon of hope, inspiring young people worldwide to stand up for justice.”
The International Children’s Peace Prize is conferred annually upon a young individual who demonstrates extraordinary courage and commitment to advancing children’s rights. Prior to the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Ebrahimi had already gained recognition for her activism. She boldly recorded herself singing and shared the videos on social media to protest a ban that prohibited female students from performing publicly. Her courageous act led to the launch of the “I Am My Own Song” campaign, which garnered widespread acclaim and international support.
Following the Taliban’s resurgence, Ebrahimi and her family sought refuge, initially relocating to Pakistan and eventually resettling in Canada. Reflecting on her journey and her ongoing advocacy, she told CNN: “I constantly think about the girls left behind in Afghanistan, trapped in hopelessness. Here in Canada, I have the freedom to shape my own destiny, but what choices do they have?”
This recognition of Ebrahimi’s work comes amidst a grim backdrop in Afghanistan, where millions of girls have been systematically denied access to education, employment, and public life under three years of Taliban rule. Many international organizations and women’s rights advocates have described the Taliban’s policies as a form of “gender apartheid” and have called for accountability for those perpetrating these violations. Nations such as Germany, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands have accused the Taliban of contravening the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Ebrahimi’s award serves as a stark reminder of the resilience of Afghanistani girls and the global urgency to support their fight for freedom and equality.
