Malala Yousafzai was only 11 years old when she wrote a journal that would change many lives. She anonymously documented her life under the Taliban rule using the pen name “Gul Makai”, the name of a folkloric heroine of her area of Pakistan.
Malala’s primary concern of the journal relates to the extremely low value of education for girls and women in Pakistan. This concern continues to be of utmost importance to Malala.
"The girls were not too excited about vacations because they knew if the Taliban implemented their [ban on girls' education] they would not be able to come to school again. I am of the view that the school will one day reopen but while leaving I looked at the building as if I would not come here again." -Malala Yousafzai
Malala has made many advancements with the press in years following her journal. In 2013 her autobiography, entitled I Am Malala (purchase here), was released and became a New York Times bestselling novel. In addition, a documentary was filmed about her in 2009. Malala’s father also encouraged her to begin blogging, which she did. Malala continues to avidly speak out for what she believes in, and will stop at nothing but justice for the girls of Pakistan.
Malala remains a target of the Taliban since she is speaking out against their ways and exposing their terrors. On October 25th, 2014, Malala was shot in the head by a Taliban member. Despite the constant threat, Malala has continued to voice her opinion in many ways and continues to fight for equality on the behalf of those still in Pakistan, forced to face horrible conditions. In 2014 Malala became the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize, and also became the first ever Pakistani to win the prize. In 2013 she was named one of Time Magazine’s “Most Influential People of the Year”. Other awards that Malala has received include European Parliament’s Sakharov prize for Freedom of Thought, and the National Peace Award from the Pakistani government which was later renamed the National Malala Peace Prize for children under the age of 18, among many others.
Malala’s primary concern of the journal relates to the extremely low value of education for girls and women in Pakistan. This concern continues to be of utmost importance to Malala.
"The girls were not too excited about vacations because they knew if the Taliban implemented their [ban on girls' education] they would not be able to come to school again. I am of the view that the school will one day reopen but while leaving I looked at the building as if I would not come here again." -Malala Yousafzai
Malala has made many advancements with the press in years following her journal. In 2013 her autobiography, entitled I Am Malala (purchase here), was released and became a New York Times bestselling novel. In addition, a documentary was filmed about her in 2009. Malala’s father also encouraged her to begin blogging, which she did. Malala continues to avidly speak out for what she believes in, and will stop at nothing but justice for the girls of Pakistan.
Malala remains a target of the Taliban since she is speaking out against their ways and exposing their terrors. On October 25th, 2014, Malala was shot in the head by a Taliban member. Despite the constant threat, Malala has continued to voice her opinion in many ways and continues to fight for equality on the behalf of those still in Pakistan, forced to face horrible conditions. In 2014 Malala became the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize, and also became the first ever Pakistani to win the prize. In 2013 she was named one of Time Magazine’s “Most Influential People of the Year”. Other awards that Malala has received include European Parliament’s Sakharov prize for Freedom of Thought, and the National Peace Award from the Pakistani government which was later renamed the National Malala Peace Prize for children under the age of 18, among many others.
On December 17th, 2014 the Taliban opened fire at a Pakistani school and killed at least 132 children and 9 school staff members. The school attack is being seen as a means of sending a message to supporters of Malala Yousafzai. After winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, Malala gained many more followers than she had prior to the award. It is suspected that the attack was also conducted as revenge against Malala for winning the prize. The Taliban had warned Malala that she had forged a pact with “Western satanic forces”. This attack is causing the withdrawal of many children from Pakistani school systems by their parents due to the lack of safety provided in the school environment. Malala Yousafzai wants to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all children.
“I am heartbroken by this senseless and cold blooded act of terror in Peshawar that is unfolding before us. Innocent children in their school have no place in horror such as this. I condemn these atrocious and cowardly acts and stand united with the government and armed forces of Pakistan whose efforts so far to address this horrific event are commendable. I, along with millions of others around the world, mourn these children, my brothers and sisters - but we will never be defeated." -Malala Yousafzai