To bring a change or to achieve a goal the first thing you need to do is: SPEAK UP.
ஒரு ஆசிரியர்; ஒரு சிறுவன்; ஒரு பேனா இவற்றால்தான் உலகையே மாற்ற முடியும்! -மலாலா
Malala Yousafzai came into this world on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan. In a country where the birth of a baby girl is not always met with joyous celebration, her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, defied societal norms and resolved to provide her with the same opportunities as a boy. Absolutely!
Her father, being a teacher, managed a school exclusively for girls in our village.
Yousafzai, the daughter of a dedicated social activist and educator, excelled academically. Malala had a deep passion for learning. However, the situation took a drastic turn when the Taliban seized control of our town in Swat Valley. The militants imposed strict bans on various activities such as watching television and listening to music, and implemented severe punishments for those who disobeyed. Furthermore, they declared that girls were no longer allowed to attend school. At the tender age of 11 in January 2008, she bid farewell to her classmates, uncertain of when or if she would ever reunite with them.
“There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a third power stronger than both, that of women.”
Education plays a crucial role in transforming both the world and individuals' lives. It is a fundamental entitlement for every individual, irrespective of their gender, race, caste, and other factors.
She publicly advocated for the rights of girls and their access to education, which made her a target.
On September 1, 2008, at the age of eleven, Malala accompanied her father to a regional press club in Peshawar to protest against the closure of schools. It was during this event that she delivered her inaugural speech titled "How Dare the Taliban Deprive Me of My Fundamental Right to Education?" Her powerful words resonated across Pakistan. In 2009, she anonymously started blogging on the Urdu language platform of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Under the pseudonym "Gul Makai," she documented life in the Swat Valley under Taliban rule and expressed her strong desire to attend school. Through her writings, she questioned the motives and actions of the Taliban.
Malala penned her first BBC blog post at the age of 11, expressing her fears about the escalating conflict in Swat Valley and her apprehension about attending school due to the Taliban. As the war between Pakistan and the Taliban intensified, Malala was displaced on May 5, 2009, and had to seek refuge far away from her home. Upon her return, she resumed her advocacy for girls' education through the media, gaining recognition across Pakistan for her and her father's unwavering commitment to providing quality education for Pakistani girls. This dedication led to her nomination for the International Children's Peace Prize in 2011 and winning Pakistan's National Youth Peace Prize the same year. Despite her efforts, not everyone supported her mission for change in Swat. Tragically, on October 9, 2012, Malala Yousafzai, aged 15, was targeted by Taliban militants.
After undergoing numerous surgeries and undergoing a lengthy period of rehabilitation, she finally reunited with her family in her newly acquired residence in the United Kingdom.
I don’t want to be thought of as the “girl who was shot by the Taliban” but the “girl who fought for education” This is the cause to which I want to devote my life.
It was then she knew she had a preference: “I should stay a quiet existence or I should make the maximum of this new lifestyles I have been given”. She set on to preserve her combat until each girl ought to pass to highschool.
“It seems as though this existence does not belong to me. It is a new lease on life. Prayers were offered to God for my preservation, and I was saved with a purpose - to dedicate my life to assisting others.”
Following the shooting incident, Malala's incredible recovery and triumphant return to school ignited a global outpouring of support. Celebrating her 16th birthday on July 12, 2013, she journeyed to New York and delivered a compelling address at the United Nations. That same year, she published her first book, an autobiography entitled "I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban." Malala was honored with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought by the European Parliament on October 10, 2013, in acknowledgment of her advocacy work.
Malala was named one of TIME magazine's "The 100 Most Influential People in the World" in 2013. On her 16th birthday, she spoke at the United Nations, championing equal educational opportunities for girls globally. This impactful speech solidified her as a symbol of the struggle for this cause.
In October 2014, Malala was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with Indian children's rights activist Kailash Satyarthi. At just 17 years old, she became the youngest recipient of this esteemed award. During her acceptance speech, Malala stressed that the recognition was not just for herself, but for the marginalized children who dream of education, the frightened children who crave peace, and the silenced children who seek change. The prize was bestowed in recognition of their efforts to combat the suppression of children and young people, and to uphold the right of all children to education.
The strength of your inner courage is much greater than the fear that is holding you back. This is the strength of courage.
The Malala Fund has evolved into an organization that empowers girls to reach their full potential and emerge as confident leaders in their respective nations through education. By funding education initiatives in six countries and collaborating with global leaders, the Malala Fund partners with local organizations to support innovative solutions on the ground and advocates worldwide for quality secondary education for all girls.
Currently based in Birmingham, Malala actively champions education as a fundamental social and economic right. Through the Malala Fund and her own advocacy, Malala Yousafzai continues to be a strong supporter of the transformative power of education and the role of girls as catalysts for change in their communities.
In 2013, Malala's autobiography, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, was published. Co-authored with Christina Lamb, the book narrates her journey in five distinct parts.
Malala's impact has had a profound effect on society. She has served as a source of inspiration for countless individuals worldwide, encouraging them to advocate for education and gender equality. Through the establishment of the Malala Fund, she has provided support for educational initiatives targeting girls in some of the most impoverished nations. Additionally, she has consistently utilized her platform on the global stage to call upon governments and businesses to invest in education and empower women and girls.
However, it is important to recognize that Malala's work is far from complete. Despite the progress that has been achieved, there are still numerous girls across the globe who are deprived of their right to education. In various countries, cultural beliefs and financial constraints force girls to abandon their schooling at a young age, with boys' education often being prioritized.
Malala's story serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of education, capable of changing lives and communities. It also exemplifies the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Every year on July 12th, Malala Day is observed internationally to commemorate Malala Yousafzai's birthday and honor her remarkable journey.
“I said to myself, Malala, you must be brave. You must not be afraid of anyone. You are only trying to get an education. You are not committing a crime.”