The headlines on 9th Oct 2012 about a young being shot by Taliban shook me to the core . The girls name was Malala Yousafzai.

In 2009, she had begun to write blog about the increasing military activity in her home town in Pakistan and about fears that her school would be attacked. After her identity was revealed, she and her father continued to speak out for the right to education. She was just a 15 year old kid who was returning home from school when she was shot in the head.

After multiple surgeries, she recovered and started attending school again. Soon, this tragic event elicited protests and her cause was taken up around the world. Such was the impact that  in Pakistan, over 2 million people signed a right to education petition, and the National Assembly ratified Pakistan’s first Right to Free and Compulsory Education Bill. This incident didn’t make her weak . In fact  she came back stronger and continued her campaign for girls education around the world. She was inspired by her father’s humanitarian work. Later, she co founded the Malala Fund, a non profit organization dedicated to giving every girl an opportunity to achieve a future she chooses. On the occasion of her 16th birthday on 12th July 2013, UN declared that day as Malala Day.

The very next year in recognition of her work, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in December 2014 and became the youngest-ever Nobel laureate. At the age of 18, she opened an all-girls school for Syrian refugees calling upon all world leaders to provide “books not bullets.” Since 2011 Malala has received more than 30 national and international awards and honours. She graduated from Oxford University in 2020. Malala recently launched her own production company in March 2021 to produce dramas, comedies, and documentaries that center women and children.

 Now, she continues to champion women and girls’ equality and education. From establishing the Malala Fund, writing books, and attending workshops, Malala has done amazing work in advocating educational rights for girls and women all across the world. She is a true inspiration and will continue to make this world a better, safer, and healthier place for girls and women.

By: Hema Nair (Volunteer At RSKS India)