Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai (http://live.worldbank.org/experts/malala-yousafzai (World Bank Live))

Malala Yousafzai was born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan. Malala is the eldest of 3. Malala grew up going to a local school founded by her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai. Malala had always enjoyed school and education. The idea of education was exciting to Malala especially since she was a girl and where Malala came from girls were often times oppressed. Malala's father was always very encouraging of Malala's education and she took pride in her school work and received good grades.

Malala was brave enough to keep with her beliefs against the Taliban. In 2009, Malala volunteered to write for BBC news, under a false name to spread awareness about the experiences she had encountered that denied her certain human rights. Malala's identity was revealed in 2009 and it made it so that she could openly speak about what she believed in and what she wanted everyone to hear. As an activist, Malala began to inform others and made a significant difference in those she touched.

Since Malala was now openly speaking as an activist against the Taliban, she received good attention as well as bad. The Taliban became aware of the news Malala was spreading and they wanted to put an end to it. Malala was now a target for the Taliban. On October 9, 2012, Malala was on a bus heading home and they then proceeded to shoot Malala in the head, also hurting two others. Malala was transferred to a hospital in Birmingham, England to recover from the severe attack.

After the attack, Malala, was stronger than ever, perhaps not physically but emotionally. Malala gave hope and continues to give hope to many children worldwide. Malala was determined to keep her beliefs and started The Malala fund, for education for those who aren't able to go because of poverty, religion, or other constraints. Malala has not been discouraged but in fact the opposite. She knows the needs of those in other countries and still continues the fight for education and women's rights, that is why Malala is a hero.