Payzee Mahmod, United Kingdom

Payzee is a British Kurd and Campaigner at Iranian & Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO). She campaigns to raise awareness about and end harmful practices including child marriage, FGM, virginity testing and hymenoplasty. Payzee’s TEDX talk 'A Survivor's Plea to end Child Marriage' has been viewed more than a million times. Payzee's advocacy has resulted in her being named UK Parliament Volunteer of the Year 2021 and she was also celebrated with special recognition at the UN Women UK Awards 2020.

Payzee's petition in support of IKWRO's ‘Safeguard Futures Ban Child Marriage’ campaign has attracted more than 189,000 signatures., The campaign has achieved historic success with the government recently confirming support to change the law so that child marriage will no longer be legal.

You can follow Payzee on Twitter @PayzeeMalika