Dola Akter Reba

Dola is a 16-year-old who works with the National Child Forum of Bangladesh, an organisation that works to protect children's rights. Dola is a public speaker and Dola and Dola's team campaign in schools and colleges to help raise awareness about the detrimental effects of child marriage. During 2017-2018, the team stopped 600 child marriages taking place.

In 2019 Dola was invited to attend a UN programme for International Day of the Girl in Switzerland, where they spoke about ending child marriage. Dola’s own mother was married at a young age - Dola told us that when they asked her mother to share her childhood story, she couldn’t because from childhood she was maintaining a family. Dola believes that every girl has the right to enjoy their childhood. With thanks to British Council for their support in identifying inspiring young activist Dola.

One action Dola would like you to do:

“We all should give priority and respect to girls around us, because girls are not a burden, they can fly like a bird, they can go further than we imagine. Give your helping hands for everyone.”
 

Follow Dola on Twitter here and read this article to find out more about her work.