Malala: The Impact Made

Malala Yousafzai accepting the Nobel Peace Prize.

     Malala grew up in a society where some people didn't accept that she wanted to be a women who went to school. She was a girl who wanted to be educated, she wanted to have the same rights that other Pakistani boys had. To see boys everyday run by with school bags and uniforms made her heartache. Malala lived in an area where the Pakistani Government had been overthrown and the Taliban had taken the Swat Valley by force. During this time, the Taliban supported ideals that involved not letting girls go to school. Instead, they were supposed to stay home and take care of the house. Naturally, women weren't able to get an education and become scientist, doctors, and lawyers. These professional types of jobs were particularly men's in the Pakistani Culture. Though it was usually uncommon to see women in powerful positons, some Pakistani women were able to  go to college and enter into the workforce that was traditionally for men. Before the Taliban, many people didn't seem to take a second glance and they were perfectly fine with seeing women in the work force. Though once the Taliban's power grew things began to change. The Taliban made it so that under sharia law women weren't allowed the right to be educated. Malala became frustrated and felt that she wasn't seen as equal to men. In her book, I am Malala, she explains that, " I was a girl in a land where rifles are fired in celebration of a son, while daughters are hidden away behind a curtain, their role in life simply to prepare food and give birth to children" (Yousafzai, 13).  She is able to show that is saddens her that in her environment she isn't able to be seen as an important human being. To give birth to a girl is almost a burden in Pakistani Culture. Malala sees the injustice and recognizes that her world that she lives in isn't fair. Under Taliban Rule, her life or any other girl's life isn't seen as fair. Throughout the book, people are able to see that Malala recognizes that she can have a powerful voice also. Malala begins to see the message she wants to send. Her message began with, " I don't want to be thought of as 'the girl who was shot by the Taliban' but 'the girl who fought for education. This is what I want to devote my life to" ( Yousafzai, 309). Through her message Malala became teenage girl from Pakistan who went through tragedy yet, took her message made it a global impact throughout all of society. Malala became the young trailblazer for education equality and has made a lasting impact on society.

     Malala lead a rally cry about global education reform to the leader of the United Nations Youth Assembly. Her impassioned voice stated, " Let us pick up our books and our pens. They our are most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world" ( UN, 2014). Malala wanted it to be known that education is important for every girl and boy that lives and breathes on this planet. Mr. Ban, the youth education rights campaigner for Pakistan,  "urges the students to keep speaking out. Keep raising pressure. Keep making a difference. You are sending a message of hope and empowerment... a message of dignity and opportunity. All of you are on the frontlines" ( UN,2014). Malala voiced that the Taliban wouldn't stop her voice from being heard. There hatred and violence didn't condemn the people's voice and opinions, it made them louder. With her speech at the Youth assembly she wasn't only able to get a worldwide petition signed for quick action on children able to safely attend school, but the Assembly made Malala's birthday a global holiday. Malala day is a day of avocation for all children to have the right to a full, free, and adequate education. The amount of impact she has made makes others realize how important and neglected education is globally.

    On December 10th,2014, Malala took the stage to accept the Nobel Peace Prize. In her speech she conveyed that "This award is not just for me. It is for those forgotten children who want education. It is for those frightened children who want peace. It is for those voiceless children who want change" ( Yousafzai ,2014). Malala was the powerful voice of many. What made her so special is that she stood for something greater than herself. Malala wanted to change the world and she didn't expect anything in return. Malala's impact was through fighting along side her people. She understood what many other girls had gone through. Even though the other girls' voices weren't heard, they have been able to now because Malala gave them a platform. Malala explains that even though she has something to show for how successful her cause has been she isn't done fighting. The Nobel Peace Prize only made her realize that there is more work to be done. She wont stop until every other child is given the right of a quality education.

     Her father was the influence for Malala to fight for women's education. When asked, " What did you do to nurture your daughter into such a fierce advocate for women's rights?" He stated," ask me what I didn't do, I didn't cut her wings" ( Shahid, 2014). Malala made an impact because no one was ever there to limit her abilities. The reason why Malala was a strong and lasting impact is because she doesn't care about recognition. She only cares about making her cause heard.

Sources:

Tribute to Malala's Father
Text of Nobel Peace Prize Speech
He Named Me Malala
Nobel Peace Prize Speech
UN Youth Assembly