Malala Yousafzai, the girl who was shot by the Taliban because she fought for girls’ rights and education. What an incredible young girl.
Her book gave a lot of insight into who she is and why. She grew up in a family that gave her the freedoms to be herself. Both of her parents supported her ambitions and dreams, whatever they may be.
In Pakistan girls are typically married off at a young age, left to tend to the house, cooking, and other traditional female roles. Because of this, most girls stop going to school around age 10. Many of the men don’t see the point of them continuing school if they’re just going to be a housewife.
Here she talks about why she and the other girls in the upper school worked so hard for top grades:
It was because when our teachers, like Miss Ulfat in primary school, said “Excellent!” or “Well done!” our hearts would fly. Because when a teacher appreciates you, you think, I am something! In a society where people believe girls are weak and not capable of anything except cooking and cleaning, you think, I have a talent. When a teacher tells you that all great leaders and scientists were once children, too, you think, Maybe we can be the great ones tomorrow. In a country where so many people consider it a waste to send girls to school, it is a teacher who helps you believe in your dreams.
Despite how dangerous it became to defy the Taliban, Malala continued speaking out against them. She and her father both received death threats. Others were regularly killed for the types of things she was saying and doing.
She carried on, unwavering.
Not only is she incredibly brave, but wise beyond her years. Even after being shot and almost killed because of her campaign, she didn’t stop. In fact, it gave her the drive and motivation to fight even harder for all girls across the globe through the Malala Fund.
She’s not sad because she was shot, she thanked God she’s still alive to fight for this cause.
The Taliban shot me to try to silence me. Instead, the whole world was listening to my message now.
Malala’s story is an inspiration. I’m glad she’s helping to bring light to this issue.
Dan Hauk 