Illustration of Malala Yousafzai and smiling people surrounding her

All illustrations by Chris Danger

Malala Yousafzai

She stands up for girls’ right to go to school.

October 3, 2022

By Rebecca Zissou

As You Read, Think About: Why is education so important to Malala?

Growing up, Malala Yousafzai (mah-LAH-lah YOO-suhf-zye) loved to go to school. She was at the top of her class and dreamed of becoming a doctor, an inventor, or a politician.

But in 2007, when Malala was 10, going to school became extremely dangerous. That year, a terrorist group called the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley, the region of Pakistan where Malala lived. The Taliban forbade women from having jobs and banned girls from going to school.

Still, Malala refused to give up on her dreams. She bravely spoke out against the Taliban, risking her life to stand up for every girl’s right to get an education.

Growing up, Malala Yousafzai (mah-LAH-lah YOO-suhf-zye) loved going to school. She was at the top of her class. She dreamed of becoming a doctor, an inventor, or a politician.

But when Malala was 10, going to school became extremely dangerous. The year was 2007. A terrorist group called the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley. That’s the region of Pakistan where Malala lived. The Taliban forbade women from having jobs. They also banned girls from going to school.

Still, Malala refused to give up on her dreams. She bravely spoke out against the Taliban. She risked her life to stand up for every girl’s right to get an education.

Malala’s Fight for Education

Watch a video to learn more about Malala’s life and work.

Speaking Out

Malala was born in 1997. At the time, the Swat Valley was a popular tourist spot, known for its thick forests and rushing rivers. But life in the region changed after the Taliban came to power.

The group eliminated many basic freedoms, including listening to music and watching TV. The Taliban threatened or punished anyone who disobeyed them, even destroying hundreds of schools and attacking teachers and students.

Despite the risks, Malala’s father didn’t close the school he had founded. Many parents stopped sending their kids to the school. But Malala and some of her classmates continued to attend—in secret. They no longer wore their uniforms and hid their books under their clothes as they walked to school.

In 2009, Malala started writing a blog called Diary of a Pakistani Schoolgirl. She described the dangers she and other girls faced from the Taliban. The blog became popular in Pakistan and beyond. Malala was also interviewed on TV about the power of school.

“Girls’ education is really important,” she told Scholastic News years later. “That’s why the terrorists are afraid of it. They do not want women to be empowered.”

Malala was born in 1997. At the time, the Swat Valley was a popular tourist spot. It was known for its thick forests and rushing rivers. But life in the region changed after the Taliban came to power.

The group eliminated many basic freedoms. This included listening to music and watching TV. The Taliban threatened or punished anyone who disobeyed them. They even destroyed hundreds of schools and attacked teachers and students.

Despite the risks, Malala’s father didn’t close the school he had founded. Many parents stopped sending their kids to the school. But Malala and some of her classmates continued to attend—in secret. They no longer wore their uniforms. And they hid their books under their clothes as they walked to school.

In 2009, Malala started writing a blog. It was called Diary of a Pakistani Schoolgirl. She described the dangers she and other girls faced from the Taliban. The blog became popular in Pakistan and beyond. Malala was also interviewed on TV about the power of school.

“Girls’ education is really important,” she told Scholastic News years later. “That’s why the terrorists are afraid of it. They do not want women to be empowered.”

A Hero and a Target

Malala’s courage in speaking out made her an inspiration—and a target. Her family often received threats demanding that she keep quiet. But she wouldn’t back down.

Then, on October 9, 2012, the Taliban tried to silence Malala once and for all. While riding a bus home from school, she was shot by a Taliban gunman.

Malala was flown to England, where she spent 11 weeks in the hospital. Her family soon joined her, and she eventually made a full recovery.

Malala’s courage in speaking out made her an inspiration. It also made her a target. Her family often received threats. The Taliban demanded that she keep quiet. But she wouldn’t back down.

Then, on October 9, 2012, the Taliban tried to silence Malala once and for all. While riding the bus home from school, she was shot by a Taliban gunman.

Malala was flown to England. There, she spent 11 weeks in the hospital. Her family soon joined her, and she eventually made a full recovery.

Continuing the Fight

In the years since, Malala has traveled the globe to speak out in support of education for all. In 2013, she and her father founded the Malala Fund. The organization helps kids around the world go to school. Malala herself went on to graduate from high school and college.

Malala, now 25, still lives in England. She continues to spread her message that everyone deserves an education.

“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” she said during a 2013 speech at the United Nations. “Education is the only solution.”

Malala, now 25, still lives in England. She continues to spread her message that everyone deserves an education.

“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” she said during a 2013 speech at the United Nations. “Education is the only solution.”

Malala’s Journey

Here are some important moments in Malala’s life.

When Malala is about 8, she sees children searching a local dump for items to sell. She soon learns that many kids in her area can’t afford to go to school.

From elementary school to ninth grade, Malala attends a school her father founded.

In 2014, when Malala is 17, she becomes the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Malala’s Journey

Here are some important moments in Malala’s life.

When Malala is about 8, she sees children searching a local dump for items to sell. She soon learns that many kids in her area can’t afford to go to school.