Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai (July 12, 1997 – present) is a Pakistani activist with the goal that one day all girls will receive free and equal education around the world. Her efforts as a girl fighting for education in Pakistan made her a target by the Taliban. At 15 she was shot in the head on the way to school. Her miraculous recovery, bravery and compassion have lead her to do great things. Only time will reveal the incredible things her future holds.

Malala’s Early Years

Malala Yousafzai was born in Mingora, Pakistan to progressive parents. Although the birth of a girl was no cause for celebration, her parents loved and cherished her. They were determined to give their daughter every opportunity a boy would have. They gave her a strong name, after Malalai of Maiwand. The woman whose words inspired an army to victory. As a young girl Malala wanted to be a doctor. She knew she would have to go to school for a long time to reach her goal, but Malala loved everything about school.

Growing up Malala loved to visit her fathers classroom. He was a teacher who wanted every child, boys and girls, to receive an education. She also enjoyed helping her mother cook and tend to their garden. In school she learned languages, math, science, religion and more. Her fathers schools grew and so did income for the family. Malala listened to CD’s, devoured books, like Twilight, and watched television.

By the time she was 10 years old, a violent group called the Taliban had brought war to her village in the Swat Valley. They restricted women’s rights; This would include barring girls from attending school by destroying them. Malala was one of the brightest in her class and continued to attend school each day while the Pakistan Army fought for their people. In 2008 the Pakistan Army had left and the Taliban, again, began to destroy schools. It was announced the girls’ schools would not be reopening.

At 11 years old, Malala had given a speech for local reporters. Her father thought she would be the perfect candidate for the BBC to interview about the school closings and life in Pakistan. The family worried about safety, so Malala wrote the blog for BBC under a false name. Awareness spread earning her much attention from the New York Times and other local talk shows. By the time schools opened again Malala had a new goal: to be a politician. Her fame earned her a nomination from the Dutch KidsRights foundations’ International Children’s Peace Prize. She didn’t win but was awarded Pakistan’s National Youth Peace Prize (Later changed to the National Malala Peace Prize). Not all attention was positive and in 2012 a member of the Taliban boarded Malala’s school bus with a gun. She was shot in the head waking up 10 days later in a Birmingham, England hospital.

Activism & Legacy

The attempted murder on her life made Malala famous around the World. After many surgeries and rehabilitation, she was back in school and living life in England with her family. She would not stay quiet, however, her voice only continued to grow. On her 16th birthday she spoke at the United Nations Youth Assembly, in NYC. Shortly after her book, I Am Malala, was published worldwide.

In 2013, with the help of her father, she established the Malala Fund. This organization dedicates its efforts towards ensuring 12 free years of quality education to girls worldwide. Over 130 million girls do not have access to a full education. There are many reasons including war, child labor, underage marriage, cost and gender bias. Read more about the Malala Fund. Her efforts earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, as a co-recipient. At just 17, she was (and is) the youngest ever to win this prestigious award.

As of 2020, Malala graduated from Oxford University having studied philosophy, politics and economics. Her voice will continue to be heard around the world.

Just a few of her most notable awards and honors include:

International Children’s Peace Prize (Nominee, 2011)
National Youth Peace Prize of Pakistan (2011)
Anne Frank Award for Moral Courage (2012)
Time magazine’s Person of The Year Shortlist (2012)
Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year (2013)
Nobel Peace Prize (Shared, 2014)
Youngest ever United Nations Member of Peace (2017)