Mumbai: Malala Yousafzai, a name that echoes resilience, courage, and the relentless pursuit of education for all, has won the world over with her extraordinary journey. Born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan, Malala defied the limitations society imposed on her as a young girl and fearlessly championed the cause of education. Despite facing numerous challenges, including a near-fatal attack, Malala's unwavering determination and indomitable spirit have made her an icon of activism and an inspiration to millions globally. On this special occasion of Malala's birthday, learn her life story from her father’s lens in Let Her Fly on Audible.
Becoming the first speaker of the child assembly in Swat & the Recipient of National Awards
Malala defied societal norms and fearlessly advocated for girls' right to education, even in the face of threats from the Taliban. “As Malala got older, her confidence in public speaking grew. She would take part in all the regular debating and speaking competitions, doing so well in them. Before the Taliban came, she became the first speaker of the Child Assembly in Swat, a position she won through an election.” Malala's fervent advocacy for girls' education in Pakistan soon caught the world's attention.
Two key moments of recognition of Malala’s influence came at the end of 2011. “The first was when she was nominated for the National Children’s Peace Prize by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, she did not win it but we were so proud, that she would win two years later after the attack. However, Pakistan’s PM Yousaf Raza Gillani decided to honour her bravery with Pakistan’s first National Youth Peace Prize - the award was named after her and became known as the National Malala Peace Prize.” As a result of this, at the request of a 14-year-old, the Prime Minister directed the authorities to set up an IT campus in the Swat degree college department. She was already starting to think of opening her organisation to help poor girls go to school.
Emerging victorious in her fight against the Taliban
Malala’s father said, “The Taliban was such a powerful enemy and its pronouncements about women and girls’ education were so hateful and devastating for the lives of the girls that the need to speak out against them strengthened my bond with Malala. It became our mission, we were slow to become co-campaigners in a way.” On 9 October 2012, tragedy struck when a Taliban gunman boarded Malala's school bus and shot her in an attempt to silence her voice. The attack left Malala critically injured, but her spirit remained unbroken. Instead of succumbing to fear, Malala emerged from the attack stronger than ever. “Malala began her second life with resilience, patience, and love. Her aim has always been that people who block her path will join her in the end. They will be part of her journey because of the peaceful way in which it is travelled”. As she recovered, her strength only intensified, transforming her into a global symbol of courage and determination.
Addressing the United Nations & Acceptance into Oxford University
Nine months after the attack, Malala was invited by former UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to celebrate her 16 years of birthday by giving an address to the United Nations in New York. This may have been one of the deepest honours for the Yousafzais of the many that Malala’s father has recounted in ‘Let Her Fly’. When asked about Ziaduddin Yousafzai’s proudest moment to date, he mentions, ‘It was when the male principal of Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, made and served Malala a cup of tea. It was a moment so natural and so normal and therefore more beautiful and powerful for me than any audience Malala might have had — with a king, or a queen, or a president”.
Becoming a Nobel Laureate
In 2014, Malala's fearless advocacy and remarkable resilience were recognized on a global scale when she became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17. This prestigious honour not only acknowledged her bravery but also elevated the importance of education as a fundamental human right. Malala's acceptance speech resonated with people worldwide, urging governments, organisations, and individuals to join the fight for universal access to education.
Launching the Malala fund
Malala's activism extends beyond her foundation. In 2018, she launched the Malala Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting girls' education worldwide. Through the fund, she has worked tirelessly to break down barriers preventing girls from accessing quality education, advocating for policy changes and investing in education initiatives.
Malala Yousafzai's life is an extraordinary testament to the power of an individual's voice to bring about change. Her story serves as a reminder that despite adversity, one person can ignite a flame of hope and inspire a generation to strive for a better future. Tune in to Let Her Fly on Audible now and let Malala's courage and determination kindle the fire within you to champion the spirit of bravery!
