Malala Yousafzai: A Young Female Activist: Women'S Health
Malala Yousafzai: A Young Female Activist: Women'S Health
Malala Yousafzai: A Young Female Activist: Women'S Health
Jaclyn Chai
Rachel Gordon
Paula A. Johnson
net or grille.
This case was originally developed by the Harvard Global Health Institute by Jaclyn Chai, MPH, Administrative Director, Global Women's
Health Programs, Rachel Gordon, MBA, Case Studies Manager, and Paula A. Johnson, MD, MPH of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. It is
used and distributed with permission by the Global Health Education and Learning Incubator at Harvard University. Cases are developed solely
as the basis for class discussion. Cases are not intended to serve as endorsements, sources of primary data, or illustrations of effective or
ineffective management.
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Malala Yousafzai
Mingora, the biggest city in the Swat District, large parts of the region remain impenetrable. 8 According to
government estimates, nearly three million civilians were displaced from their homes during the battles over the Swat
Valley region. 9
The TTP was an organization distinct from but closely related to the Taliban based in Afghanistan and Al Qaeda,
another militant group with anti-West tendencies. 10 In December 2009, the TPP bombed a mosque killing 36 and
wounding 75 people and closed over 150 schools. 11 It also claimed responsibility for the attempted bombing in Times
Square, a popular tourist spot in New York City in May 2010. 12 According to the Director of Policy and Programs at
the Jinnah Institute, a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Pakistan, TTP’s primary target was the Pakistani
state and military because “it resents the fact that it (Pakistan) has an alliance with the West, and it wants Sharia to be
imposed in Pakistan.” 13
2
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Malala Yousafzai
“I am Malala”
On October 15, 2012, Gordon Brown, former British Prime Minister, who had been appointed UN Special Envoy for
Global Education in July 2012, launched a petition in Yousafzai’s name to call on Pakistan “to ensure that every girl
like Malala has the chance to go to school” using the slogan “I am Malala,” a chant that was heard at demonstrations
across Pakistan. 38,39 He also called on the international community to ensure that all children have access to education
by the end of 2015. 40 On July 12, 2013, dubbed “Malala Day,” over 500 youth from 75 nations gathered at the UN
headquarters calling for every child worldwide to have the right and access to an education as Yousafzai spoke to UN
leaders to call for worldwide education. 41 42
Fall 2013
In the fall of 2013, Yousafzai published her memoir, “I Am Malala.” The European Parliament awarded her the
prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and many believed that she might be a recipient of the Nobel
Peace Prize. 43 However, even as Yousafzai was increasingly recognized worldwide for her efforts on behalf of
educational access, there were reports by news agencies that within the Swat region some residents were ambivalent
about Yousafzai and her impact. 44,45They worried that the TPP might return to power in the region. Yousafzai, they
felt, had received undeserved attention especially becuase another schoolgirl who had also been shot and seriously
injured by the TPP had not received any offers of medical assistance. 46 The girl’s father, a flour mill worker according
to The New York Times “noted that in contrast to Ms. Yousafzai, no politicians or campaigners had rushed to help after
his daughter was shot. ‘We are arranging her treatment with great difficulty.’” 47 However, despite the continuing
threats on her life and the ambivalent attitudes of some at home, Yousafzai remained a steadfast advocate. In an
interview with the popular American TV personality Jon Stewart she explained what she would do if she encountered
a Taliban member,
“If you hit a Talib, then there would be no difference between you and the Talib…You must not treat others with
cruelty […] you must fight others through peace and through dialogue and through education. I would tell him
how important education is and that I would even want education for your children as well," the Pakistani girl
added. "That's what I want to tell you, now do what you want.” 48
Fall 2014
On October 10, 2014, the Norweigian Nobel Committee jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Yousafzai and
Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian activist dedicated to improving children’s rights, “for their struggle against the
suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.” 49 The Committee noted,
“Despite her youth, Malala Yousafzai has already fought for several years for the right of girls to education, and has
shown by example that children and young people, too, can contribute to improving their own situations. This she has
done under the most dangerous circumstances. Through her heroic struggle she become a leading spokesperson for
girls’ right to education.” 50
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Malala Yousafzai
Yousafazi, the youngest recipient ever of the Nobel Peace award, reacting to the award said, “I want to tell children all
around the world that they should stand up for their rights, they shouldn’t wait for someone else.” This award is for
all those children who are voiceless, whose voices need to be heard.”51
4
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Malala Yousafzai
1 Nigeria 5,487,901
2 Pakistan 3,241,203
3 India 1,407,495
4 Ethiopia 1,367,141
6 Philippines 661,551
7 Bangladesh 591,325
8 Niger 568,884
Source: EdStats, "Access to Education: A Global Report," The World Bank, The State of Education Series, November 2012,
http://go.worldbank.org/WBYFTX6CM0, accessed August 2013.
EXHIBIT 2: Low Income is the Greatest Source of Disparity in Percentages of Out-of-School Children Across
Regions
5
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Malala Yousafzai
-2
-4
-6
-8
Rural, and Quintile 1-Quintile 5)
-10
-12
-14
-16
-18
-20
-22
-24
Source: Estimated by Porta (2011) using data from Demographic and Health Surveys, Multiple
Indicator Cluster Surveys, and Living Standards
Measurement Studies for 1985-2007
Legend:
EAP: East Asia Pacific ECA: Europe and Central Asia LAC: Latin America and
Caribbean
MNA: Middle East and North SAS: South Asian Seas SSA: Sub-Saharan Africa
Africa
Source: EdStats, "Access to Education: A Global Report," The World Bank, The State of Education Series, November 2012,
http://go.worldbank.org/WBYFTX6CM0, accessed August 2013.
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Malala Yousafzai
Endnotes
1 “Swat Valley Girls,” valleyswat.org, http://www.valleyswat.org/swat-valley-girls.php, accessed August 2013.
2 Richard Leiby and Michele Langevine Leiby, "Taliban says it shot Pakistani teen for advocating girls’ rights," Washington Post,
October 9, 2012, http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-10-09/world/35499088_1_malala-yousafzai-taliban-insurgents-
taliban-atrocities, accessed August 2013.
3 "Pakistan troops seize radical cleric's base: officials." Google News, November 28, 2007,
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/world/asia/teen-school-activist-malala-yousafzai-survives-hit-by-pakistani-
taliban.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0, accessed August 2013.
8 Griffe Witte, "Pakistani Forces Reclaim Swat Valley's Largest City," Washington Post, May 31, 2009,
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2009-05-31/world/36919577_1_maulana-fazlullah-athar-abbas-mullah-radio, accessed
August 2013.
9 "Pakistan: Post-Taliban Life in the Swat Valley," Pulitzer Center, http://pulitzercenter.org/projects/pakistan-swat-valley-post-
August 2013.
17 "Diary of a Pakistani schoolgirl," BBC News, January 19, 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7834402.stm, accessed
August 2013.
18 Basharat Peer, "The Shooting of Malala Yousafzai, The Girl Who Wanted to Go to School," The New Yorker, October 10, 2012,
http://www.kidsrights.org/News/tabid/121/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/43/Desmond-Tutu-announces-nominees-
Childrens-Peace-Prize-2011.aspx, accessed August 2013.
21 Fazal Khaliq, "Pakistan Civil Awards: Swat’s harbingers of hope recognised for their efforts," The Express Tribune, August 16,
2012, http://tribune.com.pk/story/422566/pakistan-civil-awards-swats-harbingers-of-hope-recognised-for-their-efforts/,
accessed August 2013.
22 Reuters, "‘Radio Mullah’ sent hit squad after Malala Yousafzai," The Express Tribune, October 12, 2012,
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Malala Yousafzai
24 Declan Walsh, “Taliban Gun Down Girl Who Spoke Up for Rights,” New York Times, October 9, 2012,
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/world/asia/teen-school-activist-malala-yousafzai-survives-hit-by-pakistani-
taliban.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0, accessed August 2013.
25 Palash Ghosh, "Malala Yousafzai's Family Refuses To Cower In Fear," International Business Times, October 10, 2012,
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/world/asia/teen-school-activist-malala-yousafzai-survives-hit-by-pakistani-
taliban.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0, accessed August 2013.
33 The Associated Press, "Taliban shooting of Pakistani girl prompts protests, vigils," CBC News, October 10, 2012,
http://india.nydailynews.com/newsarticle/3c16ead32825e1054a2785ffe5c423bf/pakistani-teen-still-critical-obama-calls-attack-
tragic, accessed August 2013.
36 "Ki-moon outraged by attack on Malala," The News International, Pakistan, October 11, 2012,
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/16/world/asia/malala-yousafzai-taliban-shooting-victim.html?pagewanted=all, accessed
August 2013.
38 Gordon Brown, Special to CNN, "Millions of children face Malala's fight for an education," CNN, October 15, 2012,
August 2013.
41 Yingying Shang, "On Malala Day, New Generation of Youth Demands Education," The Huffington Post, July 15, 2013,
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Malala Yousafzai
46 Salman Masood and Declan Walsh, “Pakistani Girl, a Global Heroine After an Attack, Has Critics at Home,” The New York
Times, October 11, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/12/world/asia/pakistanis-cant-decide-is-malala-yousafzai-a-
heroine-or-western-stooge.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131012&_r=0 accessed October 2013.
47 As quoted in, Salman Masood and Declan Walsh, “Pakistani Girl, a Global Heroine After an Attack, Has Critics at Home,” The
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