She grew up in Karamoja, a region with a recent history of political turmoil, humanitarian crisis and insecurity. Like Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan and other girls fighting for recognition of educational rights, Nakia has been the target of violence. A few years ago, she was attacked on her way to school. She lost two of her friends, but she managed to escape safely. Since then, she has become an activist campaigning for peace and girls’ education. To Nakia and her community, peace means a great deal. “Without peace, there is nothing good that can be done – for instance, in education”, she says. She explains that local disarmament policies have improved stability in the region and have thereby improved access to education. In return, education can bring peace, as well. “Schools can be a place for peacebuilding,” Nakia says. “Through education, youth can play a bigger role by engaging other partners on board.”