Malala Yousafzai : an Inspiration for My Daughters and Women All over the World

By Almas Akhtar, TMO

Almas Akhtar

Pakistani teen activist Malala Yousafzai, in her first public speech at the UN since being shot in the head by the Taliban, on Friday the 12th of July, 2013, has said she is inspired by global leaders who have insisted on non-violence stressing that, “I’m not against anyone, neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban, or any other terrorist group.”

Malala Yousafzai, wearing a white shawl that had belonged to former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, gives her first speech since the Taliban in Pakistan tried to kill her for advocating education for girls, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, July 12, 2013. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

“I’m here to speak about the right of education for every child,” Malala said, in an impassioned address to the UN Youth Assembly in New York.

“I want education for the sons and daughters of all the terrorists and extremists. “

“This is the philosophy of non-violence that I have learnt from Gandhiji, Badshah Khan and Mother Teresa,” the 16-year-old said.

Malala told the UN that she would not be silenced by terrorist threats.

“Let us pick up our books and our pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One teacher, one book, one pen, can change the world,” she said.

The UN celebrated Malala’s 16th birthday yesterday as Malala Day with day-long programmes for youth drawn from all over the world.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon named Malala’s 16th birthday, ‘Malala Day’, in honour of her heroic stand to ensure education for every child.

When I heard her speak yesterday I was greatly impressed by her tone, which did not reflect anger, it rather echoed tolerance and forgiveness. This 16-year-old girl is an inspiration for all the world leaders and not only for my daughters but women all over the world.

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