Malala Yousafzai is an exemplary young woman who is known for her activism against female illiteracy and terrorism. Malala was born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Swat Valley, Pakistan. However, the Taliban tried to rule the area, which had been a popular spot for tourists.

Educational Background of Malala Yousafzai

Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala’s father, founded the school she attended. When the Taliban started attacking girls’ schools, Malala gave a speech in September 2008 questioning the Taliban’s audacity to take away her fundamental right to education.

In 2009, she became a blogger for the BBC under an alias, Gul Makai, to protect her identity from the Taliban’s threats. However, as the year ended, everyone knew her true identity.

The Shooting of Malala Yousafzai

Because of her activism, she received death threats, and in October 2012, a masked gunman shot Yousafzai in the head as she was riding in a bus on her way home from school. Malala was taken to Peshawar, where she was admitted to a military hospital and was later transferred to Birmingham, England, for further treatment.

Malala Day

Although Malala was in a critical condition, she, fortunately, recovered after undergoing multiple surgeries. Nine months later, in 2013, Malala gave a speech at the U.N. concerning women’s rights to education. Because of this, July 12, 2013, became Malala Day.

Malala Yousafzai also got the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2013, and later in 2014, Malala became the youngest person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2017, she became U.N.’s Messenger of Peace, whose role is to promote girls’ education.