By Matiara Huff
Malala Yousafzai is a name that you have probably heard recently, as her story has started gaining more publicity in the light of her becoming the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize. It is an incredible story that sheds light on the fundamental reasons for reform related to women’s rights.
Malala Yousafzai is a 17 year old girl from Swat Valley in Pakistan. She has loved education her entire life, however in 2007 the Taliban took over. By 2008, women were banned from going to school. Malala decided to speak up for her right to education, she did a few speeches and started a blog about what was happening in the country under the pen-name Gul Makai
After the Pakistan government took over again and girls could return to school, Malala continued blogging. When the Taliban heard of the young girl speaking out, they threated her life. However no one thought they would actually harm a child, the bigger threat was toward her father’s life. On October 9, 2012 Malala was shot in the head, and by miracle she survived. After a long year of reconstructive surgeries and physical therapy, Malala made a full recovery, and still today speaks up as a Human Rights Activist, an Education Activist, and a Women’s Activist. This week, she became the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Malala is very strong, her story will have an undoubtedly positive effect on the rights of women. However, even she can’t fix this alone. It is time for us to do our part and change the world. We all have stories that deserve to be heard and we can all work together for the rights of women and girls to education.