Malala Yousafzai is a young Pakistani activist. In 2008 she began protesting the closing of girls’ schools in her area. In 2012 she was shot as a result of her protests. Yousafzai survived the assassination attempt and spoke all over the world about the importance of the education of girls.
Malala’ s central message is that no matter what the obstacles- whether they be economic, cultural or social- everybody is entitled to a quality education as a human right.
In the words of the young activist: “Education is education. We should learn everything and then choose which path to follow”.
Our adult readers, especially young Pakistani and Sri Lankan women really enjoyed this book, “Storia di Malala” (Malala’s Story) by Viviana Mazza and Paolo D’Altan. Women’ s education in Pakistan is a fundamental right of every female citizen according to the article thirty-seven of the Constitution of Pakistan- they said us – but gender discrepancies still exist in the educational sector. This book provided ample tips and food for thought: in fact, some of the most touching testimonies were told by women with no formal education or any type of vocational training, living now in communities. Malala is a source of inspiration even today; the struggle for full female independence from the usual stereotypes is not over!
