A young campaigner has been chosen to fight for the rights of women around the world.

Arifa Nasim, 18, is going global to help an international children’s charity after being selected to join the Advisory Panel (YAP) of Plan UK.

Eighteen youths from across the UK have been selected to advise the charity on their projects.

The group have a special focus on the organisation’s Because I am a Girl campaign, which focuses on achieving equality.

Arifa said: “I want to speak up against honour based violence such as female genital mutilation and forced marriage.

“I am hugely passionate about educating women as I believe education is an incredibly powerful tool to unlock the infinite potential we have as young women.”

Arifa has already been campaigning in Waltham Forest for a number of years to help end forced marriage, speaking in schools and delivering child protection training.

YAP members meet regularly to assess Plan’s work and raise awareness of challenges facing girls globally, including a lack of education, and practices including child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).

Arifa now plans to defer her entry to university to focus on campaigning with Plan and other organisations.

“My perspective as a youth campaigner is unique. Now YAP can help me spread a message of equality and connect with children and adults alike,” she added.

Members of the panel play a part in events including political conferences and charity summits all over the world.