At age 14, Malala Yousafzai was shot point blank in the head by the Taliban, just for wanting an education. She was only 11 when she took on the Taliban by giving voice to her dreams. Having survived this horrific ordeal, she is now using her dreadful experience to raise global awareness of girls’ right to an education.
Malala was born on 12 July 1997. She was educated in large part by her father, Ziauddin, an avid champion of education. She first spoke about education rights in September 2008, when her father took her to Peshawar to speak at the local press club. “How dare the Taliban take away my basic right to education?” This made her an immediate media darling. Her speech was covered by newspapers and television channels throughout the region.
On 9 October 2012, a Taliban gunman shot Malala as she rode home on a bus after taking an exam in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. Offers to treat Yousafzai came from around the world. Her family chose to send her to the UK for treatment. She has made full recovery.
Ms. Yousafzai continues to grow in prominence. She has become a powerful voice for the rights of children and women. She has been recognized globally for her courage and fearlessness. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was the first to sign a petition requesting that Yousafzai receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown arranged for her appearance before the United Nations on 12 July 2013. She was only 16. Following her mesmerizing speech, the UN dubbed the event “Malala Day”.
This valiant teenager continues to be a compelling and irresistible voice for change, globally. #IstandwithMalala
This is her story….
