Nada Al-Ahdal: the girl who said no to child marriage
In 2013, Nada Al-Ahdal was 11 years old when she fled her home in Yemen to escape a forced marriage. The wedding was one week away. Her courage started a movement that still protects girls today.
A family's pain
Nada knew what forced marriage could do. Her aunt had taken her own life at 14 after a forced marriage, and her sister had attempted the same at 12.
Nada was determined to break the cycle.
A video seen around the world
Nada recorded a video message about the dangers and injustice of child marriage and shared it on YouTube. It had 8 million views in under three days and was translated into more than 40 languages.
Her plea sparked international media coverage. It led the Yemeni government to introduce laws criminalising child marriage.
From one voice to a foundation
Prime Minister Ahmed Obaid bin Daghr supported the idea of turning Nada's efforts into an organisation. This is how Nada Foundation was born.
Nada later faced great danger. She survived a 14-day abduction by ISIS and continued her work for girls.
Recognition
In 2020, the foundation received the "With and For Girls" award from Purposeful in London.
Nada's story shows that one girl's voice can change laws and lives. The foundation carries her message: no girl should be a child bride.