In 2012, as Malala Yousafzai was headed home from school, she was shot in the face by a Taliban gunman and remained in critical condition for several months. She was 15-years-old, and had already been advocating for girls’ right to education in her home country of Pakistan. One year later, on her 16th birthday, Malala gave a speech at the UN that cemented her position as one of the most inspiring and influential people alive today. In 2014, at the age of 17, she became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. In the years since that speech, Malala has turned her personal passion into a powerful international movement working to transform the future of girls and women the world over. Today, the 22-year-old student of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the University of Oxford is a household name in the fight for women’s rights. In this article, we’ll look at some of the lessons we can learn from Malala.
1. SPEAK UP, IT TAKES COURAGE
If you don’t raise your voice, it is unlikely anyone will hear you.
It’s easy to back away from the spotlight and lead a quiet life when things get difficult. However, it is important you acknowledge that you have a voice and that you use it. Speak out against injustice, let people know how you feel, tell someone that you love them and share your opinions, thoughts, and concerns. Remember, inaction is a choice.
2. BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE
We live in a world of over 7-billion individuals. Each person is different. Each person on earth has something unique to offer the world. What’s your gift? What wonderful things do you have to offer? Don’t ever doubt for a second the power you have to make a difference.
Malala became a voice for girls’ education at the tender age of 10 years old. At 11, she began writing a blog for the BBC about the realities of what life was like for girls living under Taliban rule. She didn’t wait for anyone to begin making the change that she and her peers needed. If you are unhappy with certain aspects of your life, instead of waiting for someone else to come and fix the situation, take initiative and do something about it. After all, who understands your problem better than you?
3. FIGHT FOR WHAT IS JUST
Brave are the people who fight for what is true and just. It’s not just limited to politics or social work. In every field of life, we find brave people. Bravery has no limit.
Malala put her life on the line to fight for what she believed to be right. As a child, she was surrounded by war and destruction; bombs lit the night sky around her home. When she went to sleep at night, she thought about the very real fear that she would wake up surrounded by Taliban forces. But each morning, she started her day with hope of a better future. She stood firm in her beliefs and had the courage to become the face of a movement. Fighting for justice doesn’t have to be about taking to the streets and marching for a cause. Every day we are faced with instances where small acts of injustice occur; be it a co-worker taking credit for someone else’s work or seeing someone getting blamed for something they did not do etc. In these instances, you have the opportunity to do the right thing and speak up, take it.
4. LIKE MALALA, NEVER GIVE UP
They thought a bullet would silence us, but they failed. Nothing changed in my life except this: Weaknesses, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born.
For the love of all that’s good in this world, your beliefs and your passions; please never give up. If you care about something, or someone, no matter what happens, refuse to quit. Don’t allow yourself to lose hope and always seek motivation to fuel your drive. Surround yourself with people and messaging that keeps you inspired and passionate about your goals and dreams. If a bullet to the head and the force of a notorious terrorist group did not falter Malala’s willpower, you have no excuse to give up.
5. BE HUMBLE
I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is not. It is the story of many girls.
Despite her many achievements, awards and fame (she is the youngest person ever to win a Nobel Peace Prize) Malala always speaks and acts with kindness, grace and humility. It is an admirable quality and one we should all strive to replicate.
Kindly visit https://malala.org/malalas-story to learn more about Malala and all her amazing work.
With that I’ll leave you with my favourite quote from Malala;
One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.
