Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai became an international symbol for girls’ education after she was shot for opposing Taliban restrictions on female education in Pakistan.

In 2009, Malala Yousafzai began writing a blog under a pseudonym about the military action in her hometown and her fears that the school would be attacked.

Even after her identity was revealed, she continued to speak out for the right to education. But in 2012, on the return home from school, she was attacked by the Taliban and shot in the head.

The attack received global condemnation, and in Pakistan, over 2 million people signed a right to education petition, and the National Assembly ratified Pakistan’s first right to Free and Compulsory Education Bill.

After her attack, her and her family moved to the UK for her treatment, and since then she has become one of the world’s most inspirational speakers. So inspirational she is, she became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2014.

In 2013, Malala Yousafzai and her father co-founded the Malala Fund, bringing awareness to the social and economic impact of girls’ education and to empower girls to demand change.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book Pakistani female education activist Malala Yousafzai for your next event.

Type Of Speaker

Diversity Education Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Female Speakers Keynote Motivational Resilience Speaker

More About Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai’s Story

Malala Yousafzai’s father was a teacher and ran a girls’ school in our village, so Malala was brought up recognising that girls should be able to get an education. But when the Taliban took over, things like owning a TV and girls going to school were banned.

She was unwilling to allow that without a fight, and started publicly speaking out on behalf of girls and their right to learn – which sadly, made her a target. In 2012, she was shot in the head; she woke up 10 days later in a hospital in Birmingham, England. After months of surgeries and rehab, she joined her family in their new home in the UK.

“It was then I knew I had a choice. I could live a quiet life or I could make the most of this new life I had been given. I was determined to continue my fight until every girl could go to school.”

With school banned, it would have been a distant dream to think about attending a University as a girl, but that’s exactly what she did. Malala studied philosophy, politics, and economics at the University of Oxford.

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Malala Yousafzai | The Malala Fund

Since her ordeal, Malala has fought to ensure all girls receive at least 12 years of free, safe, quality education. She has travelled all over the world, meeting girls fighting wars, poverty, gender discrimination, and child marriage in order to go to school.

In 2013, Malala and her father co-founded the Malala Fund, and together they develop country educators and activists through their Education Champion Network, and they hold leaders accountable for their promises to girls.

Since starting, the Fund has invested in over $47 million worth of programmes in countries such as Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Brazil, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Lebanon.

Through their Girl Programme, they give girls the tools they need to advocate for education and equality in their communities. By supporting young activists, investing in local organisations, and amplifying young women’s voices, the Malala Fund is creating a world where girls can address the barriers standing in their way.

Malala Yousafzai Books

Malala has released several bestselling books about her experience, including:

– I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up For Education and Was Shot by the Taliban (2013)

– I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up For Education and Changed the World (2015) – teen edition

– Malala: My Story of Standing Up For Girls’ Rights (2018) – illustrated edition for younger readers

– Malala’s Magic Pencil (2019)

– We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories From Refugee Girls Around the World (2021)

– My Name Is Malala (2022) – board book

Malala Yousafzai Awards

Malala has been the recipient of a number of awards and accolades over the years, including:

– Named as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World

– Named as one of the 150 Most Influential Female Leaders in the UK

– National Youth Peace Prize 2011

– Anne Frank Award for Moral Courage 2012

– Mother Theresa Award for Social Justice 2012

– Rome Prize for Peace and Humanitarian Action 2012

– International Campaigner of the Year 2013

– International Children’s Peace Prize 2013

– Pride of Britain 2013

– Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year 2013

– Became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize 2014

– Ellis Island International Medal of Honour 2017

– World’s Children’s Prize Decade Child Rights Hero 2022

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Malala Yousafzai Corporate Work

Named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Malala is now a highly sought-after motivational speaker for global events.

Malala Yousafzai has spoken at TED events, addressed the United Nations, had audiences with Queen Elizabeth II, spoke at Harvard University, met with Barack Obama, addressed the Oxford Union, spoke at the Girl Summit, and spoke at the Forbes Under 30 Summit.

“With more than 130 million girls out of school today, there is more work to be done.”