Children’s Peace Prize: Singing teenager Nila Ibrahimi who gave Afghan women a voice wins award

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Nearly four years later, having dedicated her teenage years to fighting regressive restrictions against Afghan women and girls, Nila has won the International Children’s Peace Prize – an annual award for a child who has made a major contribution in advocating children’s rights. open image in gallery Nila Ibrahimi, a 17-year-old Afghanistan-native girls' right activist, holds her prize after winning the KidsRights International Children's Peace “It was risky. “The most important message is not to forget about the girls of Afghanistan.” open image in gallery Nila Ibrahimi has spent her teenage years fighting oppression of women and girls in her homeland With a selflessness and courage which “amazed and impressed” the judges, Nila, now 17, has worked to provide a voice for other Afghan girls through her organisation, Her Story. “She could have thought, ‘well I’m safe now and I’m focussing on my own life’, but the selflessness to really keep on advocating for Afghan girls.” During the ceremony, Nila led a singalong of her viral protest song with a 500-strong choir in Dam Square and girls from across four continents who joined remotely.