Last Friday, history was made. Malala Yousafzai along with children's rights activist Kailash Satyarthi were rewarded the Nobel Peace Prize. At only 17 years old, Yousafzai has become the youngest winner of this prestigious prize. The two were rewarded together for their campaign to end child suffering and promoting education for all. Their joint win also sends a message politically, as the two represent the rival nations of India and Pakistan. The Head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee commented stated that, "The Nobel Committee regards it as an important point for a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism."
Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by a member of the Taliban in 2012. She had been an outspoken advocate for the education of women in Pakistan and around the world. Servants of hatred and violence thought they could silence her. They were wrong. Within months, Malala was back on her feet and even more determined to continue the fight against oppression. Her attack only fueled her determination to spread the message of women's education.
Why does Malala Yousafzai matter? For once, a young female activist is at the forefront of global change. Young girls are no longer looking up to actresses and supermodels. They now have a real life, average young woman ti look up to. Malala is a symbol of courage. Courage that many in this world fail to possess. She doesn't ask for money, she doesn't ask for awards and she doesn't ask for fame. The fame that she has gained has been utilized in order to gain support for her struggle to provide education for women in Pakistan and across the globe.
Malala Yousafzai is the Martin Luther King, Mahatma Ghandi and Nelson Mandela of the 21st century. This is surely a bold statement. But it's true. Out of 7 billion people the world, one voice spoke out from the crowd. More will follow in her footsteps. They may not be ably to gain the attention Malala has harnessed but change will be made as a result.
Thank you Malala Yousafzai for looking into the eye of hatred and not backing down.
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