“One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world,” said Malala Yousafzai , the youngest person to win a Nobel Prize. As a young girl, Malala demanded that girls be allowed to receive an education but as a response all she got was a shot in the head. Yet, she survived. Some people call her the girl who was shot by the Taliban while others see her as the girl who fought for her rights.
Malala was born in Mingara, Pakistan on July 12, 1997. Welcoming a baby girl was not always a cause for celebration in Pakistan – but Malala’s father, Ziauddin Yousafzai was determined to give her every opportunity a boy would have.
Malala was born to Ziauddin Yousafzai and Toor Pekai Yousafzai, She has two younger brothers. Her family owned a chain of schools. Her father owned a school called Kushal school. Her father, an educational activist taught her Pashto, English and Urdu.
Ever since Malala was 11 years, she was lobbying for the girls’ right to education. Malala was often in danger because of her ideas about education.
However, even after being shot by the Taliban, she continued her activism and founded the Malala Fund with her father. Today, she is a famous Pakistani activist who still continues to work for women’s rights.
Shahana Aqeel
Grade 6 C
Wycherley International School
Colombo