Afghan Girl Nila Ebrahimi Named UN Young Leader 2025
Nila Ebrahimi, an Afghan teenager and girls’ rights activist, has been named among 17 Young Leaders of 2025 by the United Nations under the program Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ebrahimi, who currently lives in Canada, has focused her work on education and the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. Last year, she was awarded the International Children’s Peace Prize, selected from among 165 candidates from 47 countries
The UN Youth Office stated that out of more than 33,000 applications from 150 countries, only 17 individuals were chosen as Young Leaders. These leaders, aged 16 to 33, include founders of organizations, social activists, peacebuilders, and entrepreneurs.
Over the next two years, the selected leaders will collaborate with the United Nations to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, including gender equality, climate action, social justice, and global peace.
In response to her selection, Ebrahimi said she aims to amplify the voices of Afghan girls worldwide and, through storytelling, cooperation with international organizations, and social initiatives, work toward empowering women and girls.
