Teen fights for child rights globally

14-YEAR-OLD DUBAI RESIDENT SEHER'S ACTIVISM WAS BORN FROM BEING A VICTIM OF BULLYING

- BY LAKSHANA PALAT

At first, 14-year-old Seher Pahade from Dubai seems quiet and reserved. But that fades as she starts talking about what's close to her heart: Protecting children from bullying.

Her voice resonates with passion as she recounts her journey from the age of five doing everything she can for children and speaking out on issues like child abuse and gender inequality. Even if it’s just a drop in the ocean, she’s not going to give up.

Seher is a child warrior with the Cactus Foundation, India. “I was raised in an ecosystem where I was taught not to be a bystander, but an upstander,” she says. “I was always encouraged to raise my voice and break the silence.”

Driving change

Over the years, Seher has visited rural communities, speaking with teachers, parents, and policymakers to push for change. At just five, she pledged her birthday to the cause, designing and selling 100 bookmarks to raise Rs10,000 for the foundation during a financial crunch. “That’s when I fell in love with the cause,” she says. “And I haven’t stopped.”