ABOUT
Sonita Alizada 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 denied education.
Born under Taliban rule, Sonita faced the threat of child marriage twice—at ages 10 and 16—before finding her voice through music. Her powerful rap video, Daughters for Sale, gained international recognition, amplifying her fight against child marriage. Her journey was captured in the Sundance award-winning documentary, Sonita.
A Global Rhodes Scholar, she has been honored with numerous accolades, including MTV Europe’s Generation Change Award, the Freedom Prize, the Cannes Lion Award, and a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30. Through her activism and artistry, Sonita continues to champion girls’ rights and challenge societal norms worldwide.