Malala's story
At the age of 11, Malala started writing blogs for the BBC under a pen name. She used the blogs to speak out about what life was like under the Taliban. She included such entries as "When the Taliban came to Swat (what she affectionately called her home town), they banned women from going to the market and they banned shopping." But the area in which Malala particularly focused was education for women. The Taliban had issued an edict banning all girls from attending schools.
After winning Pakistan’s first National Youth Peace Prize in 2011, Malala became a target for the Taliban. In 2012 when Malala was just 14 years old, the Taliban found her on the bus riding to school and shot her in the head. They tried to assassinate her because of her outspokenness against the Taliban. But Malala survived. Not only did she survive, the incident only gave her more strength and determination.
Malala's remarkable strength
After a full recovery, on her 16th birthday, Malala addressed the United Nations and in a powerful voice stated, "Here I stand, one woman among many." She remains strong in her determination to help millions of girls being denied a formal education. Malala continues her cause and will not be stopped, becoming not only a powerful voice but a role model for other women.
To learn more about Malala Yousafzai, visit www.malala.org/
