As we are about to enter our fall break, it may seem like we have just been in school for far too long. From the first thirteen years of school, to the four to maybe even five for undergrad, and then you’re faced between the decisions of more school or enter the workforce. Even though we all have felt this annoyance at some time in our life, could you imagine a world without the right to education because of either your sex or gender? Enter in the incredible Malala Yousafzai, who was the youngest recipient as of yet to receive the Nobel Peace Prize which she actually received on the International Day of the Girl!
When she was just 14, Malala recovered from a gunshot wound in the head by Taliban extremists. Instead of backing down, the incident only put more fuel to her fire. In Pakistan, the Taliban had banned education for girls after the First Battle of Swat. The Taliban began destroying hundreds of girl’s schools after the edit while Malala continued to give handwritten notes to a reporter that would post them on a blog for BBC. The Taliban warned Yousafzai to stop her efforts with violence, which one extremist attempted in 2012.
Malala said to the United Nations in 2013, “Terrorists thought that they would change my aims and stop my ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this: Weakness, fear and hopelessness died, strength, power and courage was born.” Her miraculous recovery sparked national attention and a campaign for the education of girls in Pakistan sparked, “I am Malala.”
Malala accepted the Nobel on behalf of all of the children in school while she was in class. She said that she would rather finish her time in school than leave to accept. She still is at risk for danger and yet she fights for the rights of others. We so often forget the plight of our sisters in other countries, and it is up to us at HerCampus girls to stand up for those who aren’t always able to stand up themselves for the danger it might cause to them or their family. I could not think of a better role model to earn this prestigious reward, and I hope that you can agree with me as well.