Celebrating Malala Day: A Young Minority Girl's Monumental Story of Defiance!
By: Tessa Piccolo
“Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow’s reality.”
Happy Malala Day to young girls and women everywhere! July 12 is a day of utmost importance that will continue to resound in the history of the fight for women's rights, particularly young minority girls and women's rights. Malala Day recognizes the bravery, resilience, and inspiration of Malala Yousafzai a young female Pakistani activist who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her tireless advocacy for girl’s education under Taliban rule. Her mission was established from a young age, inspired by her father, Ziauddin, who, motivated by a desire to make education accessible to all girls, established Khushal Girls High School and College in Mingora.
In 2007, the Taliban (an extremist Islamic militant organization that widely opposes the education of girls) began enforcing Islamic Law in Malala’s town, enforcing bans and harsh punishment for those who refused to follow the new rules. Despite the heightened risk, Malala and her father continued to speak publicly about the school closures and by 2009, she was writing her own blog under a pseudonym discussing her day-to-day life under Taliban rule. On October 9, 2012, when Malala was just 15 years old, the trajectory of her life was forever altered. On the way home from her father’s school, she was shot in the head by members of the Taliban. Remarkably, Malala survived the gunshot and was transferred from Pakistan to a hospital in Birmingham, England. The event sparked international protest and Malala became a symbol for the repression of girls and women.
Though many would have been changed in the face of such adversity, Malala not only fully recovered but wasted no time returning to the activism which had endangered her life in the first place. On her 16th birthday, Malala made her first public appearance post-attack, speaking to an audience of 500 at the UN. This same year, she co-founded 'The Malala Fund' with her father, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping girls achieve an education, was named one of Time Magazine’s most influential people, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Although she didn’t win her first nomination, she was nominated and won the subsequent year becoming the youngest recipient ever of the prestigious honour at just 17 years old. Malala then attended and graduated from Oxford University and has since been committed to the Malala Fund, successfully developing networks in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Turkey. Her bestselling memoir I Am Malala was published in 2013 and is a riveting read which we would strongly recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about Malala, her motivation, and her experiences through her own words.
The bravery, resilience, selflessness, and determination of Malala’s story stand as an inspiration to all. She has dedicated her entire life to her cause and refused to allow any amount of hardship alter her course. Her message has spread across the globe and stands clear: regardless of race, age, or circumstance, all girls should have a free and fair opportunity for education. She believes that education is the key to unlocking the power and leadership that we as young girls and women possess. Her famous quote “One book, one pen, one teacher, can change the world,” is an electrifying reminder of the capacity of seemingly small things to create a better future.
Malala's advocacy efforts and inspiring journey in the face of opposition resonate with EmpowHERto's mission of empowering young minority girls to find their voices, thrive, and rise above stereotypical barriers.We hope that Malala’s story encourages all our beautiful, strong, and intelligent girls and women out there to follow their dreams against all odds. Fight unapologetically for your right to belong in this world until you achieve the incredible potential you are capable of.