In a world of consumption and egocentric interest, it is difficult to look beyond oneself when making choices in life. Some might not even have to make significant choices until they turn 18 but for some life is different. In early 2009, at the very young age of 12, Malala Yousafzai started writing a blog under a pseudonym for the BBC describing her life under Taliban rule, their attempts to take control of the Swat valley through intimidation, and her views on promoting education for girls. This would change her life and ours with it.
As she became a prominent spokesperson for the equal right of education for girls, she quickly started to attract the attention of Western campaigners and the wrath of the Taliban authorities.
The number of girls in primary schools in the Swat valley is now on the rise – from 86,000 in 2010 to 127,000 this year, according to the local education department. This gradual progress stemmed largely from Yousafzai’s interviews, the Taliban marked her off for reprisal. On 9 October 2012, a Taliban gunman shot Yousafzai as she rode home on a bus after taking an exam. Asking for her by name, she was hit with one bullet, which went through her head, neck, and ended in her shoulder. She remained in critical condition for several days before being transferred to a hospital in Birmingham, England. The assassination attempt received widespread attention and condemnation.
But, she managed to make a full recovery after a few surgical interventions. Having processed the shock of being on the verge of death, young Malala did not crumble in fear. She wanted to continue her fight and now that she had the attention of the whole world, she knew it was not time to give in to the Taliban.
Thus started her international journey to promote education and give a message of peace. Yousafzai addressed the UN Youth Assembly on her 16th birthday and called for improvements in global education. “One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first,” stated Malala Yousoufzai to rapturous applause from the audience and a subsequent standing ovation from the likes of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and UN Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown. The UN has declared her birthday, July 12, as “Malala Day”. Called to various media platforms, she managed to give a poignant and emotional speech each and every time. She was voted by TIME magazine as one of the most influential women in the world and was widely tipped to win the Nobel Peace Prize despite eventually losing to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
At 16, Malala Yousafzai is the voice of a generation, a generation hiding in fear, a generation that has seen countless acts of cruelty and one that wants to grow and learn. Her message of promoting education above and foremost has received wide critical acclaim. The ‘I am Malala’ proposal is a testament to the importance that her words have garnered. Political hero to me and symbol of hope and faith for millions of youngsters, Malala Yousafzai remains one of the most important figures of the last five years and intends to influence many more.
