Recently, Labor Party legislators Freddy de Ruiter and Magne Rommetveit nominated Malala Yousafzai, a 16-year-old teenage rights activist, for a Nobel Peace Prize for the second time after being nominated in March 2013 for her passion for women’s education that caused a terrorist event that was waged against. Although she did not win, the Pakistani teen refused to back down from her dreams of women’s education. She later created the The Malala Foundation, a fund that will aid children all over the world to receive an education. On April 5, 2013 the fund gave its first grant, supporting the educations of 40 girls in the Swat Valley.
“Malala’s work is truly incredible,” said sophomore Eden Shemulian. “I think her efforts to change the world will really make a difference.”
Yousafzai was born in Mingora, Pakistan and defied the Taliban, by demanding that girls be given the right to receive an education. As a young girl, Yousafzai attended a school her father founded. After the Taliban began terrorizing the girls’ school, Yousafzai gave a speech in Peshawar, Pakistan that initially established her activist future. Through constant blogging, Yousafzai began to create a growing public platform to which she spoke out to about female’s rights.
“I think the best way to solve problems and to fight against war is through dialogue,” said Yousafzai to BBC interviews. “The best way to fight against terrorism and extremism is to educate the next generation.”
When Yousafzai reached the age of 14, her family had learned that the Taliban had issued death threats against her. Although Yousafzai was concerned on behalf of her family’s safety, she felt the terrorist group would not harm her. On Oct. 9 2012, as Yousafzai was on her way home from school when, a gunman shot her in the head, leaving her in critical condition. After multiple surgeries, Yousafzai was able to begin attending school in Birmingham, England.
“If she wins this prize, it will inspire other students around the world to stand up and make a change,” said junior Julia Feldman. “She has the strength and ability to risk her life for the bettering of young girl around the world, she will continue inspiring people like she inspired me.” •
