Key points
- 01 At just 11, Malala Yousafzai began blogging under a pseudonym to advocate for girls' education in Pakistan's Swat Valley, where the Taliban had banned girls from attending school.
- 02 On 9 October 2012, a Taliban gunman shot Malala in the head on her school bus. She survived after emergency surgery in England, and her story drew global outrage and support.
- 03 In 2014, aged 17, Malala became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She co-founded the Malala Fund, an NGO campaigning for 12 years of free, safe education for every girl.
01
Young but powerful
Malala was born in 1997 in northern Pakistan. She was inspired by her parents' courage, notably by her father that was himself an activist. She was only 11 when she launched her first blog under the pseudonym "Gul Makai". The blog aimed at promoting the right to education for young girls (notably in her district where Taliban had banned girls from attenting school)and denouncing Taliban terrorism in Pakistan.
02
Targeted for her courage
On October 9th 2012, while she was on a school bus, a Taliban shot her in the head. Severely injured, Malala was transferred to Queen Elizabeth hospital in England where she miraculously survived.
03
The fight isn't over
Her story drew worldwide attention and made her a celebrity. She continued her studies at Oxford University and, in 2013, published "I am Malala, the girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Talibans." In 2014, she became the youngest person ever awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
04
A symbol of resilience and hope
She now stands as one of the most influential advocates for girls' education worldwide. After graduating from Oxford University, she co-founded the Malala Fund, an international NGO dedicated to ensuring 12 years of free, safe, and quality education for girls. She continues to speak on global stages, meeting with world leaders and inspiring millions through her activism, writing, and public presence.
« When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful. »
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