Maria Akter Baby has campaigned against child marriage and child labour while linking climate impacts to children’s rights, education and protection.
Seventeen-year-old climate justice and child-rights activist Maria Akter Baby has been nominated from Bangladesh for the 2026 International Children’s Peace Prize.
The International Children’s Peace Prize is organised by KidsRights, an international children’s rights organisation founded in 2003. KidsRights launched the prize in 2005 to recognise young people working to advance children’s rights.
International children’s charity World Vision UK recently featured Maria in its #52WeeksOfImpact campaign, which highlights children’s rights and empowerment. The profile describes her determination to challenge the belief she encountered growing up that girls could not succeed or contribute.
Maria is president of the Suryodoy Children’s Forum, head of YouthNet Global’s Children and Adolescents Wing, and an executive member of the National Children’s Forum, which represents about 200,000 children.
Her work began after she joined a children’s forum through a drawing competition. She initially knew little about children’s rights or children’s right to express their views. Seeing other children speak about their concerns helped her understand that children should have a voice.
Maria began with a 13-member children’s committee at ward level and later took part in advocacy at upazila, district, national and international levels. World Vision Bangladesh’s Child Forum and leadership training helped her gain the confidence and skills to speak up for children’s rights.
Working to prevent child marriage
Maria helped build a local network of children and community members to respond to child marriage. She connected with local police, councillors, community leaders and residents so they could act when a case was reported. Where needed, the network sought support from the local administration and legal services.
According to World Vision UK’s profile, Maria and her team have helped stop 27 child marriages.
Helping children return to school
The profile also says Maria has supported 23 children to leave child labour and return to school. She believes that removing a child from work is not enough unless the family’s financial difficulties are also addressed.
She has worked with organisations to help parents find livelihood opportunities. She has also coordinated with school head teachers, the Department of Social Services and local community members to support children’s education.
Maria has helped raise financial support for children who needed assistance to continue their studies. After learning about her work, a Bangladeshi scientist living in the United States contacted her to support children. With that support, 10 children who had dropped out received help with their education expenses for a year.
Linking child rights with climate justice
Maria says climate change can undermine children’s rights. Through her work, she has seen families displaced by floods, cyclones and other disasters move to cities. Financial hardship can then push children into labour or put girls at risk of child marriage.
She raises these connections at national and international platforms, sharing children’s experiences and demands. Maria also says her climate awareness activities have reached more than 100,000 people.
“I never wanted to be a big leader; I want to be a good leader,” Maria said about her nomination.
She described the nomination as a major achievement and an encouragement to continue working for children. Maria credited her mentor’s guidance, along with training and practical experience, with helping her overcome her fear of public speaking.
“Today, I believe girls can do many things. And my greatest achievement is that I am working to create leadership opportunities for all children, girls and boys,” she said.
