Malala Yousafzai, the young woman who stood up for girl’s rights to an education. The girl who fights for what is best for her and other young women around the world. When she was just fourteen years old, Malala was shot by the Taliban on her way to school for standing tall and declaring that everyone had a right to a proper education. Malala Yousafzai is a perfect example of a leader who has made a positive impact on the world in the following ways: she had courage to stand up for what she believed in, challenged authority by attending school even when the Taliban was threatening all girls who were to do so and speaking out, and refused to be silenced after she was shot by the Taliban on her way to school. Leaders talk about what’s important, talk about what they stand for, get people motivated, and have a tremendous amount of courage. At such a young age, Malala had enough courage to stand up for what she believed in. She believed that all girls should have the right to a quality education.
In 2009, the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, where Malala’s father owned a school for girls. The Taliban took over and said that all girls schools were to be closed. Malala Yousafzai – Biographical says, “Determined to go to school and with a firm belief in her right to an education, Malala stood up to the Taliban. Alongside her father, Malala quickly became a critic of their tactics. “How dare the Taliban take away my basic right to education?” she once said on Pakistani TV.” Malala was just eleven years old when she started standing up for herself and other girl’s rights to an education.
She took initiative and called out one of the most dangerous groups on the planet for what they were doing wrong. According to the article from Equal Times: Standing Up for Girl’s Education on Malala Day, ” As part of their coverage of these events, the BBC searched for locals who would be willing to blog about the changes that Taliban rule brought to their everyday lives. Malala became a BBC blogger using the synonym ‘Gul Makai’ (meaning ‘Cornflower’ in Urdu).
She documented her fears for her future – as well as those of her girlfriends.” Malala took a very big risk blogging how she felt for all to see. She used this blog as a tool to stand up for what she believed was right. She criticized the Taliban’s doings and demanded that schools be accessible to girls.
Becoming an advocate for girls education resulted in the Taliban issuing a death threat against her. Malala showed immense leadership at this time, she had courage and made her voice heard after her dream of an education started slipping away and a death threat from the Taliban. Her courage gave hope to so many girls around the world. So much so that according to the article Malala Yousafzai-Biographical, “Her activism resulted in a nomination for the International Children’s Peace Prize in 2011. That same year, she was awarded Pakistan’s National Youth Peace Prize.” Malala was awarded this prize because of her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and the right of all children to education. She showed much courage and acts of leadership within these events. When the Taliban tried to put a stop to all girls attending school and getting an education, Malala wasn’t having it.
In her book Malala says, “Madam Maryam sent out a message to all the girls in the upper school: If they wanted to defy this new edict, she would open the school doors. “Just don’t wear your uniforms,” she said. “Dress in everyday clothes, plain shalwar kamiz that won’t attract attention.
” So the next day, I put on everyday clothes and left home with my books hidden under my shawl and head held high” (Yousafzai and McCormick 89)” Malala knowingly went against authority. This shows much leadership on Malala’s behalf because she and her classmates went against what the Taliban was doing. She went right under their noses and silently stood up for what she believes in with this “secret school.” She knew that her life was at stake, yet continued to challenge the authority that stood around her. According to the article Malala Yousafzai-Biographical, “Pakistan’s war with the Taliban was fast approaching, and on May 5, 2009, Malala became and internally displaced person (IDP), after having been forced to leave her home and seek safety hundreds of miles away. On her return, after weeks of being away from Swat, Malala once again used the media and continued her public campaign for her right to go to school. Her voice grew louder, and over the next three years, she and her father became known throughout Pakistan for their determination to give Pakistani girls access to a free quality education.
” This quote shows how committed Malala is to her and other girls around the world to getting an education. She continues to challenge authority by continuing her schooling and using the voice that she has to stand up for other girls as well.