At just 12 years old, Bangladeshi child rights advocate Ahmad Al Safa has been nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize 2026, placing his work for children’s rights, digital safety and gender equality on an international platform.
Nominated by Shafikul Islam, Ahmad is among the young changemakers being recognized in 2026 for taking action on issues that directly affect children and young people. His nomination highlights his work across three major themes: Climate Justice and Environment, Digital Safety, and Gender Equality.
Ahmad is also the younger brother of Bangladeshi youth activist and social entrepreneur Shahi Al Sadat, who has been involved in youth-led advocacy and child protection initiatives. Growing up in an environment closely connected to youth advocacy and social-impact work, Ahmad developed an early awareness of the challenges faced by children and young people.
Ahmad’s journey into child advocacy began when he was only 10 years old. Having grown up witnessing violence against children, harassment, cyberbullying, child marriage and other violations of children’s rights, he developed a strong sense of responsibility toward protecting and empowering children.
Rather than simply speaking about these challenges, Ahmad began working directly with children and communities. Over the years, he has participated in and supported awareness campaigns, educational programs and training initiatives across schools, communities and online platforms.
His advocacy addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing children today—including child marriage, violence against children, gender inequality, cyberbullying and online harassment. His work encourages young people to understand their rights, recognize potential threats and seek help when their safety is at risk.
Championing Digital Safety
Digital safety has emerged as one of the defining areas of Ahmad’s advocacy. Through awareness and training initiatives, he works to help children understand the risks of cyberbullying, online harassment and digital crimes while encouraging them to speak up and seek support.
At a time when children are increasingly exposed to risks in online spaces, Ahmad’s work focuses on equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world more safely.
According to his International Children’s Peace Prize nomination profile, Ahmad’s awareness and training initiatives have reached more than 20,000 children and families.
Despite being only 12, Ahmad continues to balance his education with social work, advocacy and community engagement. His nomination also recognizes the important role of his family in supporting his efforts and enabling him to continue his work at such a young age.
The International Children’s Peace Prize recognizes children and young people who have made significant contributions toward promoting children’s rights and creating a more peaceful and just world.
Ahmad Al Safa’s 2026 nomination brings international attention to a young Bangladeshi advocate working on issues that affect millions of children—particularly safety, equality, protection and digital rights.
For Bangladesh, his nomination represents a notable example of a young person stepping forward to address challenges faced by his own generation. At only 12, Ahmad’s journey demonstrates that meaningful advocacy can begin at a very young age—and that young voices can play an important role in shaping conversations around children’s rights and safety.
