When it comes to being 17, thoughts of finishing high school or going to college jump through the minds of those anticipating the transition from minor to legal adult. For Malala Yousafzai, being 17 comes with commendable bravery, devotion to education and the Nobel Peace Prize. Wise beyond her years, Yousafzai earned the honor by fearlessly dedicating her life to raising awareness for the rights of young girls and education for all. What is most admirable is her motivation to do this despite the danger around her.
In 2009, Yousafzai began documenting her life in Pakistan under the rule of the Taliban through an online diary. She discusses the restrictions on women as part of Taliban rule including the closing of schools to keep young girls from their education. She also notes the frequent military activity around her from waving to soldiers to watching helicopters fly above her. Despite using a pen name in her online diary, media outlets around the world began picking up her story. She started campaigning for women’s rights, especially their right to education. She successfully drew attention to the mistreatment of women in Pakistan while also catching the eye of the Taliban.
While on her way home from school in 2012 Yousafzai encountered two gunmen. Under orders from the Taliban, they shot her in the head. She was only 15 years old. Yousafzai survived the attack and continued her campaign to promote education around the world. She has since written a book documenting her life and dedication to her cause. Receiving the Nobel Peace Prize is her latest achievement. She shares it with Kailash Satyarthi, a fellow activist for children’s rights from India.
Yousafzai now lives in England, but her determination to solve the problems at home has not faltered. At only 17, she proves that anyone with a passion can make a difference. Regardless of the dangers surrounding her, she fearlessly committed her life to raising awareness about children’s rights and the inequality of women. What started as a way to share her personal experiences at home luckily did not end with a heinous act of violence. It instead motivated Yousafzai to change the world.