Nila Ibrahimi is a shining example of what Afghan girls can achieve when given the right opportunities. Like many other girls and women worldwide, Afghan women are capable of remarkable accomplishments. Her winning the prestigious International Children’s Peace Prize 2024 is a beacon of hope for the “𝟭.𝟭 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻” in Afghanistan [UNESCO].

While in many parts of the world, girls and women are tragically dying due to war and conflict, Afghan girls and women are enduring a slow, excruciating death in silence. They are being mentally tortured 24/7, not allowed to work or pursue an education, and are now even silenced in public spaces.

Talking with some of our students at Oxus Academy and through the emails I receive, I can tell you that there are two alarming trends:

𝟭- 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗳𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁.
𝟮- 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹.

My message to women and men worldwide: Please stand up for the women of Afghanistan. Don’t let them continue to suffer in silence. This song beautifully captures the pain and resilience of Afghan women. Please take a moment to listen and reflect on their struggles—and their strength.