Jamiul Hasan Araf

Jamiul Hasan Araf (17), is from Bangladesh. Growing up in a modest family in Bangladesh, Jamiul witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by underprivileged children around him, from child labor to child marriage during his own school years. These early experiences shaped a deep sense of justice, and he decided journalism could be his tool for change.

Jamiul became a child journalist, using storytelling to highlight children’s rights violations, including child marriage, child labor, and lack of access to education. Through his reporting, he amplified the voices of vulnerable children and brought public attention to issues often ignored in his community. He also conducted awareness campaigns at the community level, educating parents, children, and local leaders about child protection laws and the long-term harm caused by child marriage and labor.

With strong support from his family and trusted adults, Jamiul has shown that a pen and a notebook can be just as powerful as any protest, giving a voice to children whose stories might otherwise go untold, and pushing his community to confront uncomfortable truths about how children are treated.