Final Paper
May 6, 2013

Malala Yousafzai, “The Girl with a Voice”

For young women in Swat Valley, a district in the northwest frontier province of Mingora, Pakistan, having basic rights such as an education is an issue that has been fought for since its existence. Malala Yousafzai daughter of activist Ziauddin Yousafzai is one of many unfortunate young women who have felt the wrath and despair of the Pakistani Taliban regarding this issue. In comprehension of this paper, I will convey to the reader the story of Malala’s journey through her fight to education rights, why these rights are important, and how this issue relates to many other women’s rights issues discussed in class. I will begin by giving background on Ziauddin and
Malala got through to many people with her insightfulness and perseverance to make education for girls in Pakistan noticed as an ongoing issue and was well on her way to making a difference in many others lives. After attending the function in Peshawar the Yousafzai family returned home. Although their house was unharmed the school has been used as a bunker for militants. Holes through the walls, desks destroyed even animal remains were discovered in the courtyard. Corpse lay in the streets set up as scare tactics for people returning home. This pushed Malala to continue even harder. On February 18th 2009 Malala and her father were at an anti-Taliban protest where Malala was able to get Hamid Mir, a Pakistani broadcaster, to allow her on his show. “All I want is an education,” stated Malala. Her speech spoke truth and was received incredibly well by its listeners however this put Malala in an increasing amount of danger. Although Malala blogged anonymously it was no secret what she stood for and who she was directing it towards. It was close to year after Malala’s speech but eventually the Taliban were driven out of Swat by the Pakistani government and by that time Malala became an obvious campaigner for girls’ education. Malala spoke out to families asking them to open their eyes, break away from traditions they are used to and comfortable with, and allow their young women to be the future for Pakistan by