The woman

Nadia Murad is a former Yazidi slave who was raped, tortured and sold by Islamic State terrorists. In her book Pour que je suis la dernière (Éditions Fayard, 2018), with a preface by her lawyer Amal Clooney, she delivers a vibrant testimony about her captivity in the hands of Daesh jihadists until her miraculous escape. Her wish in recounting her past: to be the last girl in the world to have to tell such a story.

The Nobel Prize

The 25-year-old woman received the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on December 10 along with Congolese gynecologist Denis Mukwege "for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war."

Tribute

This young woman has transformed horror into strength that she inspires in the thousands of girls and women in her community. She does not want to be glorified, but rather for action to be taken to protect women, children and minorities from oppression and injustice. She perfectly exemplifies my perception of personal power: Nadia, instead of putting her destiny in the hands of her adversary, took back her power and rose up. There is nothing stronger than this power. She took control of her life!

This strength that inhabits her reminds me of the young Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner, whom I had the chance to interview as part of Influence Montréal 2018. I am always moved to observe young people who courageously fight against injustice and inequality, want to raise awareness in order to take their rightful place.

When I see these young women who are positively changing the world, I am even more encouraged and motivated to continue doing my part. Young people and women are the future of the world.