MALALA GOES TO THE OSCARS

By now, I hope everyone has heard about Malala Yousafzai and how she is changing the world.

Her story is truly a remarkable one.

In October 2014, Malala, along with Indian children’s rights activist Kailash Satyarthi, was named a Nobel Peace Prize winner. At age 17, she became the youngest person to receive this prize.

Here is her story in her own words.

1997

I was born in Mingora, Pakistan on July 12, 1997.

Welcoming a baby girl is not always cause for celebration in Pakistan — but my father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, was determined to give me every opportunity a boy would have.

2012

I spoke out publicly on behalf of girls and our right to learn. And this made me a target.

In October 2012, on my way home from school, a masked gunman boarded my school bus and asked, “Who is Malala?” He shot me on the left side of my head.

I woke up 10 days later in a hospital in Birmingham, England. The doctors and nurses told me about the attack — and that people around the world were praying for my recovery.

2014

After months of surgeries and rehabilitation, I joined my family in our new home in the U.K.

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 determined to continue my fight until every girl could go to school.

With my father, who has always been my ally and inspiration, I established Malala Fund, a charity dedicated to giving every girl an opportunity to achieve a future she chooses. In recognition of our work, I received the Nobel Peace Prize in December 2014 and became the youngest-ever Nobel laureate.

2018

I began studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford.

And every day I fight to ensure all girls receive 12 years of free, safe, quality education.

I travel to many countries to meet girls fighting poverty, wars, child marriage and gender discrimination to go to school. Malala Fund is working so that their stories, like mine, can be heard around the world.

FAST FORWARD TO 2023

Just last week, Malala attended the Oscar Awards as the executive producer for her nominated short documentary, Stranger at the Gate. In addition to her advocacy work, Malala has been involved in producing films that promote education and social justice. Her Oscar-nominated documentary short is just one example of the powerful storytelling that she has brought to the screen.

“It is such a powerful message about the power of compassion and kindness and forgiveness,” she told reporters on the red carpet before the ceremony. “And this is something that anyone can relate to, from any corner of the world.” (Tribune, March 13, 2023)

Here is the trailer for her documentary. It has received rave reviews.