Daily Times

Tell us about your foray into the field of activism? How did it all begin for you and why did you feel so strongly about education?

Like many people, I became an activist because I saw injustice in my community. I was only 11 when the Taliban banned girls’ education in Swat Valley and I had to speak out because I could not accept my future without education. When girls like me cannot go to school, I have to speak out for them. I feel so strongly about education because it is the key not only to girls fulfilling their own potential, but also for peaceful, stable communities and countries.

You are the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. Did you ever aspire to win all these accolades during your early campaign for education?

No, I did not aspire to win awards or praise from anyone. I spoke out because I wanted girls to have the same rights and the same education as their brothers. Most of the times, I forget that I have won the Nobel Peace Prize because I am focused on working to ensure all children can go to school, and then I can celebrate all my achievements with pride.

What according to you has been your biggest achievement so far?

As I have said many times, I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls. I am proud that, through the Malala Fund and through my travels, many more people around the world now know about the challenges 130 million girls face in getting an education. So I would consider highlighting girls’ education on global platforms as one of my biggest achievements.

You are a native of Swat. Tell us about the prevalence of human and women rights in your hometown.

We see a positive change in children’s schooling in Swat and all over Pakistan. More and more are sending their sons and daughters to school and women participation is increasing in different fields. However, Pakistan, after Nigeria, has the second highest number of children out of school, which is around 25 million. It is important for all leaders and politicians of all political parities to unite for the cause of education.

Why do you think your oppressors were so against women studying and how do you think that mindset can be changed?

Oppressors always prey on people who they think are weaker than them. It is how they build up their power. When women, or men for that matter, are educated, they can think for themselves. They understand their rights and can defend them. And that is a threat to extremists. Also, they have misinterpreted the message of Islam and they need to study it in detail. Islam delivers the message of education for all men and women.

Other than education, human and women rights, what other causes do you feel the most strongly about?

I care strongly about the environment and want that we all opt for recycling, don’t waste water, reuse things and take care of greenery. We should also join campaigns that raises environmental awareness and promotes projects linked to that.

‘Most of the times, I forget that I have won the Nobel Peace Prize because I am focused on working to ensure all children can go to school and then I can celebrate all my achievements with pride’

What are you currently working on?

This year I’ve been travelling to many countries to talk to girls about the challenges they face in going to school and tell their stories to presidents, prime ministers and everyone who will and should listen. I met refugee girls from many countries in the United States and Canada. In July, I visited Iraq and met girls displaced by conflict. Then I went to Nigeria and met girls who have no schools to attend because their government has not invested enough money in education. Soon I will make my first visit to Latin America, the only region in the world where child marriage is increasing rather than decreasing. The Malala Fund is also supporting projects for girls’ education in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Lebanon, Turkey and other regions. Other than that, I am getting ready to start university in autumn.

What is your vision for Pakistan and what does it mean to be Pakistani for you?

I am proud to be a Pakistani. Pakistan is rich in diversity with different cultures and languages for instance I am a Pashtun. Diversity is the beauty of Pakistan and its people are united for peace and progress.

What motivates you to excel no matter what?

I cannot talk about the importance of education around the world if I am not prioritising my own schoolwork. I study hard – and I don’t take my education for granted because I know not every girl has the same opportunities as I do.

We, at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours?

Abdul Sattar Edhi and Bilquis Edhi are my heroes for their selfless dedication to the most vulnerable people in Pakistan. But also many others like Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Maria Toorpakai Wazir, Shehzad Roy, Arfa Karim, Aitzaz Ahsan, Tahira Qazi, Iqbal Masih and Mariam Mukhtiar. I know I would have missed out the names of many heroes but there are countless inspiring heroes of our nation that I could end up talking about for hours.

A special thank you to Vox Vision CEO & filmmaker Zaid Aziz for helping arrange Malala Yousafzai’s interview with us

                                    Achievements

STRONG ADVOCATE FOR GIRLS’ EDUCATION & HUMAN RIGHTS

The legendary Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. She is known for human rights advocacy, especially education of women in her native Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwest Pakistan, where the local Taliban had at times banned girls from attending school. Her advocacy has grown into an international movement.

DRIVEN & AMBITIOUS SINCE CHILDHOOD

Considering Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Benazir Bhutto as her role models, Malala Yousafzai was particularly inspired by her father’s thoughts and humanitarian work. When she was 11-12, she wrote a blog under a pseudonym for BBC Urdu, detailing her life during the Taliban occupation of Swat. The following summer, journalist Adam B Ellick made a New York Times documentary about her life. She rose in prominence, giving interviews in print and on television and she was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize by activist Desmond Tutu. Deutsche Welle wrote in January 2013, that she might have become “the most famous teenager in the world”.

AN INTERNATIONAL STAR

Malala founded the Malala Fund, a non-profit organisation, and co-authored I Am Malala, an international bestseller. In 2015, she was a subject of the Oscar-shortlisted documentary ‘He Named Me Malala’. The 2013, 2014 and 2015 issues of Time magazine featured her as One Of The Most Influential People Globally.

HONOURED FOR HER PURSUITS

In 2012, Malala was the recipient of Pakistan’s first National Youth Peace Prize and the 2013 Sakharov Prize. In 2014, she was announced as the co-recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Kailash Satyarthi, for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education. Aged 17 at the time, she became the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. In 2017, she was awarded honorary Canadian citizenship and became the youngest person to address the House of Commons of Canada.

Published in Daily Times, August 31^st 2017.