Malala Yousafzai speech in 2013 at the United Nations was an example of passionate advocacy for education as a fundamental right for all children, especially girls, emphasizing the transformative power of knowledge in shaping a better world. Malala's journey from a remote village in Pakistan to the halls of Oxford University and the United Nations is a story of personal triumph and a testament to one voice's power to inspire global change. Her legacy reminds us that "the pen is mightier than the sword."
Early activism
Let's explore Malala Yousafzai's early activism and how her childhood shaped her into the advocate she is today.
The beginning of the journey
Malala Yousafzai became famous at 11 when she began writing a diary for the BBC World Service in Urdu, under the pseudonym Gul Makai, describing life under Taliban rule.
In her blog, Malala shared the truth about the closure of schools for girls. Since then, Malala and members of her family have regularly received threats.
Attack and recovery
In October 2012, Taliban extremists attacked Malala because of her campaign to support education for Pakistani girls. She received a severe bullet wound in the head and almost died. After surgery and rehabilitation in Great Britain, the girl, with the participation of journalist Christine Lamb, wrote a memoir, "I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up For Education and Was Shot".
In 2013, Malala was awarded the UN Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. In 2014, Yousafzai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "the fight against the oppression of young people and for their right to education," becoming the youngest laureate in the award's history. In 2017, she became a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
Key speeches analysis
Internationally recognized speaker Malala Yousafzai has addressed numerous audiences worldwide, including the United Nations General Assembly, the G7 Meeting, and the Canadian Parliament. She aims to raise awareness of girls' education's social and economic impact and empower them to reach their potential.
Malala Yousafzai succeeds in rhetoric. Her speeches catch, are quoted, and attract attention. She speaks confidently and even knows how to joke during her speeches, which creates a unique atmosphere when the halls of the most influential organizations in the world are filled with sincere laughter and applause.
UN speech on her 16th birthday
In 2013, in New York, the 16-year-old Pakistani Malala Yousafzai addressed hundreds of United Nations Youth Assembly delegates and thousands of spectators without bitterness or malice, with mercy and confidence. Malala received a standing ovation. It was the first time Malala spoke in public after the attack.
Malala Day
On July 12, 2013, the United Nations celebrated Malala Day. It is now remembered every year as a symbol of education activism. This event brought together hundreds of young leaders to urge world leaders to ensure free and compulsory education for every child worldwide. The meeting included speeches by former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the UN Special Envoy for Global Education, Vuk Jeremić, President of the General Assembly, and Ahmad Alhendawi, the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth.
Desire for a peaceful future
Inspired by her parents and world rights activists such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Malala called on world powers to put peace at the center of their policies and said she was fighting for women's rights because they suffer the most.
Malala said the Taliban attack did not change anything in her life, except that, in her words, weakness, fear, and hopelessness disappeared from her mind.
Mercy and forgiveness
What is surprising about Yousafzai's speech is Malala's confidence and voice. As a 16-year-old girl, she bravely talked about the attack on her. What is even more impressive is the theme of forgiveness in this speech. Not much time had passed, but she calmly declared that she did not harbor evil but wished that the children of terrorists could also study so that there would be more peace and fewer wars. In many parts of the world, especially in Pakistan and Afghanistan, extremism, wars, and conflicts prevent children from attending school, according to Malala.
Favorite quotes from Malala Yousafzai's UN speech
"I want education for the sons and the daughters of all the extremists especially the Taliban."
"This is what my soul is telling me, be peaceful and love everyone."
Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech
The Nobel Peace Prize laureates for 2014 were fighters for children's rights - Pakistani Malala Yousafzai and Indian Kailash Satyarthi. All children have the right to a childhood and education without forced labor, said the head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Thorbjorn Jagland. A young girl and an old man, one from Pakistan, the other from India, one a Muslim, and the other a Hindu, became symbols of what the world needs - the unity and brotherhood of peoples.
Favorite quotes from the Nobel Peace Prize speech
"This award is not just for me. It is for those forgotten children who want education."
"Education went from being a right to being a crime."
"The world can no longer accept that basic education is enough."
Speech addressed to the Canadian Parliament
In 2017, in Ontario, Canada, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai became an honorary citizen of Canada and the youngest speaker to give a speech in the country's parliament. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau presented the certificate to the courageous Pakistani woman.
Here, Malala continued her theme about the importance of secondary education and completing 12-year schooling. In this speech, she used specific numbers to show the practical value of the power of education. Malala spoke about her faith, about Muslims, in connection with the terrorist attacks that were committed in Canada and Europe. She talked about Islam and the teachings of peace and asked not to perceive all Muslims as radicals.
Quotes from the speech to the Canadian Parliament
"When a country gives all its children secondary education, they cut their risk of war in half."
"If all girls went to school for 12 years, low and middle income countries could add 92 billion dollars per year to their economies."
G7 Education and Development Ministers meeting
In 2019, in Paris, France, Malala gave a speech at a G7 meeting. G7 (Group of Seven) is an international forum of seven highly developed countries (USA, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Canada).
The fight against inequality was the priority of the French G7 Presidency. Particular emphasis was placed on gender equality, and Africa received significant priority.
Malala Yousafzai emphasized the significant economic benefits of investing in girls' education, highlighting studies that demonstrate how each additional year of schooling for girls can lead to substantial financial contributions to their communities and economies.
Quotes from the G7 speech
"Girls have the power to boost economies, create jobs, make communities safer and drive industry."
"No matter the opportunity — a media interview, a business meeting or standing at a podium addressing world leaders — my message remains the same: invest in girls' education."
Speech at the United Nations General Assembly
Seven years after her legendary speech at the UN, Malala spoke again in 2022 at the UN General Assembly. She reminded the public and the UN itself of the promises made regarding education.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (who has held this position since 2017) called the Malala "a symbol of perhaps the most important thing in the world - the availability of education for all. Even in the face of grave danger, Malala Yousafzai demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the rights of women, girls, and all people".
Quotes from the UN General Assembly speech
"If you are serious about creating a safe, sustainable future for all children, then be serious about education."
"You must use the power you have to take action. Allocate 20% of your budgets to education."
Themes and messages
Key themes in Malala Yousafzai's speeches include the significance of girls' education, resilience, and advocacy for human rights. Through her words, she emphasizes the importance of fairness and equality, inspiring others to stand up for what is right. Her key topics are:
Personal story
Usually, Malala shares her story of the Taliban attack on her for her activism in Pakistan. She highlights the importance of resilience and bravery and the impact one individual can have on global issues.
Education and equality
Malala stresses the need for continuous efforts to ensure equal educational opportunities for all genders.
Human rights and philanthropy
Malala emphasizes the collective impact of individual contributions and the importance of strategic philanthropy. She often shares stories of girls she met in refugee camps or countries with human rights problems.
Inspirational & empowering women and girls
In her bright speeches, Malala Yousafzai inspires the audience with real-life examples and encourages support for women's empowerment initiatives.
Malala's speeches: Amplifying the Malala Fund's message
The goal of the Malala Fund is to empower local leaders and activists, with Malala's speeches serving to amplify the message of the Fund. The Malala Fund supports local activists, including those who defend girls' rights. Activists in Afghanistan, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey can make a difference in their communities, so the Malala Fund can make a difference by supporting and working with them. 47 million dollars has already been invested in this support.
The Fund helps improve girls' access to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education. Malala's goal is to take young activists to global platforms like the UN so these girls can interact with international leaders and make their voices heard.
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FAQs
Who is Malala Yousafzai?
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for girls' rights to education. She survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban and became a world-famous speaker and author of the autobiography "I Am Malala." Malala Yousafzai is the youngest laureate to receive the Nobel Prize.
What did Malala Yousafzai do?
Malala Yousafzai actively advocated as a teenager for the education of girls despite the ban in Pakistan by the Taliban. After the attempt on her in 2012, she began to work for the rights of girls and women worldwide. In 2013, she founded the Malala Fund to support education leaders in African countries and some Muslim countries.
