Nila Ibrahimi, a 17-year-old Afghan refugee in Canada, has created a powerful platform to share the stories of Afghan girls, bridging the gap between her generation’s experiences in Afghanistan and Canada. Her mission goes beyond simply giving voice to Afghan women; she aims to highlight their humanity and similarities to other teenage girls worldwide.
In 2023, Nila launched HerStory, a website featuring interviews and first-person accounts from Afghan refugees and women both inside and outside the country. Her goal is to help young people, especially her Gen Z peers, understand the challenges faced by Afghan girls and recognize their shared experiences.
Nila’s activism began in March 2021 when she participated in a small but significant protest against a decree attempting to ban girls over 12 from singing in public. She was part of the Sound of Afghanistan singing group, using performance as a form of resistance. However, her life changed dramatically when the Taliban took over Afghanistan, forcing her family to flee.
The family, part of Afghanistan’s Hazara minority, first went to Pakistan and then was granted asylum in Canada. After 12 months without education, Nila found her new home to be a “breath of fresh air.” She began speaking at events, sharing her experiences and advocating for the millions of girls left behind in Afghanistan.
The Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, including banning teenage girls from education, limiting women’s travel, and effectively silencing half the population. These actions have drawn international condemnation, with the Taliban claiming their rulings align with religious texts.
Nila was recently awarded the International Children’s Peace Prize, previously won by notable activists like Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg. The award recognizes her work in highlighting the struggles of Afghan girls and her commitment to women’s rights.
Her website, HerStory, provides a platform for women who “grew up with stories of the first period of Taliban” to share their experiences of shock and anger at the current situation. Nila is careful to approach these stories with hope rather than despair, believing that her generation can make a difference.
Marc Dullaert from the KidsRights Foundation praised Nila’s work, noting the “staggering” number of young women currently excluded from education. He highlighted her ability to provide a voice that will be heard across the world.
Nila’s approach is distinctly Gen Z – hopeful and action-oriented. She believes that while the world can be scary, young people can take small steps to create change. Her ultimate goal is to remind the world not to forget Afghan girls and to showcase their potential, resilience, and humanity.
By sharing these stories, Nila hopes to create understanding and connection, proving that despite geographical and cultural differences, there are fundamental human experiences that unite people across generations and borders.
