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Malala is Born
On July 12, 1997, Malala Yousafzai was born in the city of Mingora in the Swat Valley of Pakistan. The Yousafzais celebrated Malala’s birth, which was strange to many other families in the village.Traditionally, in Pakistani families, they value males over females so female babies are usually covered up. On the contrary, male births are celebrated with extravagant parties. -
The Taliban Comes to Power
Now with the Taliban ruling Pakistan, female education was becoming hard to get away with. At just 11 years old, Malala began speaking out against the Taliban, demanding female education. -
Speaking Out
Malala was now living under daily threats to her and her education. She began blogging on BBC where she would speak out about being under Taliban rule. -
Continuing to Speak Out
At this point, Malala has given many speeches in Pakistan, expressing her ideas. The Taliban continued to threaten her right to education, but were getting tired of all the uprisings, so the threatened to kill Malala. Also in this year, she was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize and won Pakistan’s National Youth Peace Prize. -
The Taliban Take Action
On October 9, Malala was riding the bus home at the end of a normal school day. Suddenly a Taliban member boarded the bus and demanded to know which girl was Malala. All of her friends looked at her and the officer began to fire. He shot 15 year old Malala in the side of the head and injured 2 other girls on the bus. -
Medical Treatment
After being shot, Malala was rushed to a nearby military hospital. She was taken to Birmingham, England where she would undergo many surgeries that would prevent paralyzation on the left side of her face. But by March of 2013, she would be free to attend school in England. -
U.N. Speech
On her 16th birthday, 9 months after being shot, she spoke to the United Nations (U.N.) regarding female education. She persuaded the leaders present that it was not fair to women that they couldn’t have an education. -
“I Am Malala”
Malala’s autobiography “I Am Malala” was released. In her novel, she spoke about growing up in the Swat Valley and her school experience with the Taliban. -
Nobel Peace Prize
On October 10, Malala was the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17. Malala and Kailash Satyarthi both won the prize for fighting against unfair rights. -
Malala Taking Action
On her 18th birthday, Malala opened a school in Lebanon for Syrian refugees. -
A Trip Home
On March 29th, Malala returned home on a 4-day trip. She visited her home in the Swat Valley, and the place where she survived an assignation attempt. She had the privilege to talk to speak to the Prime Minister. On her trip, she also visited a school being built sponsored by the Malala Fund where she gave a speech.
