Sonita Alizadeh
Sonita Alizadeh
Human rights activist, musician and author
Biography
Sonita Alizadeh is the first professional Afghan rapper, a human rights activist and an author. She is the co-founder of Arezo and The Dreams Book, a secret school for Afghan girls deprived of education. Born under Taliban rule, she faced the threat of child marriage twice, at ages 10 and 16, before finding her voice through music. Her rap video Daughters for Sale gained international recognition, amplifying her fight against child marriage. Her story was documented in the Sundance award-winning film Sonita. A Global Rhodes Scholar, she has received numerous accolades, including MTV Europe’s Generation Change Award, the Freedom Prize, a Cannes Lions Award and a place on Forbes 30 Under 30.