Celebrating Malala Day

Yesterday, Malala Yousafzai turned 16 years old, and the world celebrated with her on the newly designated Malala Day.

She wore a pink headscarf that once belonged to the late Benazir Bhutto, Pakistant’s first female Prime Minister. Standing in front of over 1,000 students from around the world, and UN officials, Malala declared that education was the only solution to improving lives.

Born in Pakistan’s northwest province, Malala grew up in an area where the Taliban frequently banned girls from attending school. In 2009, at age 14, Malala wrote a blog post about life as a young girl under Taliban rule, and her wishes for education. The following year a New York Times film crew made a short documentary about her story. Malala’s fight for education grew, and she became a prominent education activist in Pakistan, winning her country’s first National Youth Peace Prize.

In October 2012, the Taliban tried to silence her, and she was shot in the head in a failed assassination attempt on her walk home from school. She remained in critical condition for weeks, before being flown to the UK for further medical attention. The Taliban continued to call for her death.

But the threats against her and her family’s life did not slow down this young woman. In fact, she used her high profile case as a platform to fight for a woman’s right to education. Now, barely eight months after her attack, Malala celebrated her 16th birthday by speaking at the United Nations Youth Assembly in New York City.

Her speech was a powerful reminder of the strength, courage, and hope that lives in the hearts of youth today. 

She mentioned that she learned how to fight passionately and forgive graciously from the example set by Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King, and Mother Theresa, among others. 

Education has never been a high priority for Pakistan. According to UN statistics, the Pakistani budget spends about $4.5 billion on its military, and less than $400 million on education. When families are unable to send their children to school, they often turn to the free madrassas, which often teach radical ideology that opposes the education of girls, fueling a cycle of misogynist violence.

“We call upon all the governments for free compulsory education, all over the world, for every child … Expansion of educational opportunities for girls in the developing world”

“Do remember one thing. Malala Day is not my day. Today is the day of every woman, every boy, and every girl who have raised their voice for their rights.”

Malala’s words were powerful, and delivered with a quiet, and passionate strength that moved listeners to tears. This is the beginning of a journey that will not end until every girl in Pakistan, and the world has the freedom and opportunity to attend school. World leaders are listening, and Malala presented Mr Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations with a petition in support of 57 million children who are unable to attend school. 

Happy Birthday Malala, you are an incredible inspiration to every student, activist, and leader in the world. Your courage in the face of unimaginable fear and danger has moved a generation to action. We wish you a wonderful year filled with as many successes as you deserve. May we all follow in your example, and continue the fight for education!

Read the full text of her speech here.