12yr old fights child marriage

[Her3tiK]

This is probably one of the best stories you'll read all week. 12yr old Oli Ahmed goes door-to-door fighting child marriage in Bangladesh after losing his best friend to such an arrangement. He's even recruited his best friends to help him argue his case with the adults/elders, and has even gotten the attention of Plan International to help his case.

(Emphasis added)

“I used to know a girl who was like an older sister to me, but she was forced to get married and never came back.”

It made him very angry and sad…Oli approached Plan International which was already working in his slum in Dhaka.

He told them he wanted to set up a group led by children to try and stop the practice. He goes door to door with a group of friends persuading, scolding and hectoring parents.

…

One NGO worker says that since they started work, the number of child marriages in that area has dropped by as much as 50%.

“I feel very good that a girl’s life has been saved because of the work that I’ve done,” says Oli.

Who else feels a little faith in humanity for once?

[Stormwarden]

Here here. Refreshing to see someone care enough to fight something like this.

[Smurfette Principle]

That is the best thing I've read all day.

[Thejebusfire]

This is the best thing I've read all week.

[Witchyjoshy]

While I am impressed with him actually standing up to do this, I'm even more impressed that it's actually making a difference.

You go, guy.

[Saturn500]

actually making a difference.

Do you hear that? That's the sound of Cirque Du Soleil On Ice being performed in Hell.

[Meshakhad]

actually making a difference.

Do you hear that? That's the sound of Cirque Du Soleil On Ice being performed in Hell.

I just heard on the news: pigs are dive-bombing Syrian forces.

[Tolpuddle Martyr]

Awesome!

[Barbarella]

This is fantastic! And this is a boy doing it....which makes it better because:

1.) It's refreshing to see a male stand up for women's rights.
2.) It gives hope that there are enlightened men & boys in these sort of societies.
3.) Women & girls NEED male allies! If men & boys spoke up more, there WILL be progress in gender relations!
4.) It shows that, yes, the "gender wars" can end!

[ThunderWulf]

This kid deserves a medal.

[The Right Honourable Mlle Antéchrist]

What an amazing kid.