Listen to Payal!

When 13-year-old Payal talks, adults and children alike listen. The children of her village have elected her as the leader of their child parliament. In this photo, she stands with the leader of the adults’ village parliament. They often asks Payal and her friends for advice.
“I was proud when I found out that so many people had voted for me,” says Payal. “I want to fight for all children, especially girls. Here in Rajasthan, lots of girls are forced to work hard and get married when they are only twelve. I don’t like child marriage. We visit children at home and explain to their parents why school is important. I want to be a teacher. We also tell fathers not to hit their children or wives. If they are loving instead, things are better for everyone.” Since 2014, Payal is also a member of the World’s Children’s Prize Jury.