International Malala Day: A Glorious Legacy Left by Malala Yousafzai

Since 2014, July 12 has been observed as Malala Day, a day dedicated to the life and legacy of Malala Yousafzai, the girls’ education campaigner from Swat, Pakistan, and the world’s youngest Nobel Prize winner. On the birthday of Ms. Yousafzai, the world also celebrates Malala Day to pay tribute and lief for her endless struggle for women’s educational rights across the world. This day is one that has been celebrated since 2013, a year following being shot in the head and neck by a Taliban gunman over outspokenness in favor of girls’ right to education.

History of International Malala Day

The United Nations has been celebrating International Malala Day since 12 July 2013. A year earlier, the Taliban attacked Malala in reprisal for her opposition to the ban by the Taliban on the education of females in Pakistan. However, Malala survived the assault and went on to become an international crusader in education. In acknowledgment of her services, the UN officially proclaimed July 12 International Malala Day in the year 2015.

Significance of International Malala Day

According to the UN, Malala Day aims to achieve a number of leaders who are able to provide free and compulsory education to the girl child. Clearly, this shows that education is not a privilege but a right of every person. On this day, people inspire girls to fight for the right to education and raise awareness about education. This day is also an incredible opportunity for schools, organizations, or even people to learn more about Malala’s work and other young activists.

About Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai was born on 12 July, 1997, in Mingora, Swat Valley, Pakistan. She shot into the limelight in the year 2009 when she wrote a blog for BBC anonymously detailing a life of fear and oppression, bewildered as schools were shut and even destroyed, sometimes fearful and always strongly criticizing the Taliban.

But with fame came threat to life. She was shot on October 9, 2012, while returning after appearing for an examination. Two other girls were injured too. She was airlifted to Peshawar, where in a three-hour operation, a bullet lodged near the spinal cord was extracted. Then she was rushed to a hospital in London, where she later settled and continued her studies. On her 16th birthday, in 2013, Malala spoke to the United Nations on the topic of education for young people. In 2014, she was declared the co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight for the right of children of all ages to equal education.

Malala Yousafzai did her philosophy, politics, and economics degree from Oxford University. Together with her father, she is the founder of the Malala Fund, a non-profit international organization working toward the cause of girls’ education.

The International Malala Day means more than a birthday celebration of Malala Yousafzai. Rather, it becomes a global call for action to support and promote education for girls everywhere in the world. Marking her phenomenal journey and undying crusade for education rights, Malala has left us with knowledge of the capacity of one singly courageous and determined person to alter the world. So, we can all do a little to make sure every girl has an opportunity to learn and reach her full potential by joining in awareness and advocating for her rights.