Afghani girl raps her way out of forced child marriage [video]

"Let me whisper to you my words...
So no one hears that I speak of the selling girls...
My voice shouldn't be heard...
Women must remain silent. This is this city's tradition."

This song was uploaded on YouTube last October, since then Afghani girl Sonita Alizadeh's 'Bride for sale' (Dokhtar Forooshi) has been heard by millions and her story shared by thousands.

Born in Afghanistan, Sonita was only 10 when her mother first considered selling off her daughter to a husband.

But before the marriage could happen, the family had to flee from Taliban and the unrest in the country to settle in Iran.

At 16, Sonita was told she would be married off to a stranger for a price — that she would essentially be sold.

Sonita found a way to escape, though — through rap. She teamed up with an Iranian filmmaker and created a music video for her song 'Brides for sale.'

She posted the video to YouTube that caught the attention of the Strongheart Group, which works to amplify the voices of traditionally marginalized people through art.

Sonita was awarded full scholarship to go to Wasatch Academy, a boarding school in the heart of Utah, US.

As a teen in Iran, she didn't have access to a formal education, but after learning how to read and write, she fell in love with music videos, rap and Eminem.

She started rapping about her life, about the war in her country, her refugee status, and the issues facing Afghan women and youth.

Sonita's story has become quite popular and inspirational.

She has a Facebook page dedicated to music. She uses her skill to educate society about child marriage and to empower girls.

Last week her music video was played at London's Women in the World summit where she shared her story.

A documentary about her journey called 'Sonita' will premiere at the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam next month.

After using her music to help avoid becoming a child bride, Sonita now uses it to speak out against the practice of marrying off young girls.

"Let me scream
I am tired of the silence
Lift your hands off me
I feel suffocated."

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