A teenage Pakistani girl made global headlines a year ago when she was shot in the head by the Taliban because of her advocacy for girls’ education. Malala Yousafzai survived the attack and now lives in Britain, where she continues her campaign despite continued threats on her life. Her story shines a light on Pakistan, where more than one-third of elementary-school-aged children do not attend school. Enrollment figures are even lower for girls, especially in rural areas.
When our children complain about having to go to school and just don’t seem to understand the value of education, maybe they should think about Malala Yousafzai. Malala was a young girl in Taliban controlled Pakistan who was shot in the head because she dare to advocate education for girls. Fortunately Malala survived the attack and after emergency surgery in Pakistan and further medial treatment in the UK, she now lives safely in the United Kingdom.
She still campaigns for education rights from her new home in the UK and was recently a favourite for the Nobel Peace Prize because of her outstanding campaign (remember this is a young girl from Pakistan).
Education campaigner Malala Yousafzai said education is crucial to improve the lives of girls and that poverty prevents families from sending their children to school. Speaking at the World Bank, Malala said she was gratified to have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize because she hoped it drew attention to her campaign to improve the lives of girls through education.
