July 12 is marked each year as Malala Day, as a way to pay tribute to Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who works for women’s right to education across the globe.
The activist recently announced that she is working on a new memoir. It is currently untitled and has no scheduled release date, but her previous works include the million-selling I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, published in 2013, the year before she won the Nobel Peace Prize at age 17. Since then, she has graduated from Oxford University and married Asser Malik, a manager with the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“The last few years of my life have been marked by extraordinary transformation, and all the anguish and joy that accompanies growth,” Yousafzai, 25, said in a statement released by Atria. “This is my most personal book yet and I hope that readers will find recognition, reassurance, and insight in my story.”
On July 12, 2013, the then-16-year-old Yousafzai delivered a moving speech at the headquarters of the United Nations, which was focused on worldwide access to women’s education, and appealed to world leaders to bring changes to their policies.
The day also happens to be Yousafzai’s birthday and, because of these two factors, the UN declared it as a day of celebration for the activist.
Here’s everything you need to know about the day.
Who is Malala Yousafzai?
Malala Yousafzai was born in Mingora, Pakistan, in 1997. When she was 11 years old, she began advocating for the education of girls, despite living under the Taliban, which actively campaigns against women’s rights.
In 2009, Yousafzai started writing a blog for the BBC under a pseudonym, talking about the increasing military activity in her hometown. Even after her identity was revealed, Malala and her father continued to speak out publicly about the right to education.
On October 9, 2012, while Yousafzai was returning home from school, she was attacked by a Taliban gunman who shot her in the head and neck. She received initial treatment in Pakistan, but was later sent to Britain for further recovery.
Nine months after being shot, Yousafzai delivered an eloquent speech at the UN headquarters on her 16th birthday.
Why is July 12 celebrated as International Malala Day?
July 12 is International Malala Day, because on July 12, 2013, the then-16-year-old Yousafzai delivered a moving speech at the headquarters of the United Nations, which focused on worldwide access to women’s education, and appealed to world leaders to bring changes to their policies.
July 12 also happens to be Yousafzai’s birthday, and, because of these two factors, the United Nations declared the day as a day of celebration for the activist.
Nine months after being shot, Yousafzai delivered a moving speech at the UN headquarters on her 16th birthday. At the age of 17, Yousafzai received Nobel Peace Prize and became the youngest recipient.
After the violent assassination attempt on Yousafzai, Pakistan passed the first Right to Education Bill. She has received more than 40 awards and honours for her relentless courage. University of King’s College also awarded her with an honourary doctorate in 2014.
What is the history and significance of lnternational Malala Day?
Malala Day, which was first celebrated on July 12, 2013, is officially a day that’s used to promote universal girls’ education — which was officially announced by Gordon Brown in his role as United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education.
The event called on world leaders to ensure free and compulsory education for children across the world. Former UK prime minister Gordon Brown addressed the meeting in his capacity as UN Special Envoy for Global Education. In her speech, Yousafzai spoke about the need for worldwide access to women’s education.
“Dear brothers and sisters, do remember one thing. Malala Day is not my day. Today is the day of every woman, every boy, and every girl, who have raised their voices for their rights,” Yousafzai said in the speech.
Speaking about the shooting incident, she said the Taliban hoped to silence her with a bullet.
“But nothing changed in my life except this. Weakness, fear, and hopelessness died, strength, power, and courage was born,” she said and received a standing ovation for her speech.
Facts about the Pakistani activist
1. Malala Yousafzai at the age of 17 was the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize since the prize came into existence in 1901.
2. In 2017, the young activist was designated as the United Nations Messenger of Peace by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
3. In 2009, Malala Yousafzai started blogging about living under Taliban rule for BBC. She later became a national figure for her country.
4. An asteroid was named in honour of Malala Yousafzai in 2015.
5. Because of the violent assassination attempt on Malala Yousafzai, the Government of Pakistan announced the creation of the first Right to Education Bill.
