05 Fact File
05 Fact File
05 Fact File
Malala was born on 12th July 1997 in Mingora, in Pakistan. She has two younger brothers. Malala’s
father was a teacher and she grew up with a strong belief in the power and importance of education.
In 2007, a group called the Taliban began to take control over the area where Malala and
her family lived. They did not believe that girls should go to school and they also banned many cultural
activities, such as watching television and dancing. Malala continued to believe in her right (and the
right of every girl) to an education and became quite critical of the Taliban’s actions.
Significant Action
In 2009, Malala began to write a blog for the BBC Urdu
service. She wrote this using someone else’s name
(a pseudonym) and in it she described her desire to
go to school and her fears living under Taliban rule.
In 2013, the Malala Fund was set up. This organisation campaigns for all girls to have 12 years of
education. Malala is still an active campaigner for the rights of girls around the world to have an
education.
Malala’s tireless campaigning work was recognised in 2014 when she was named a Nobel Peace Prize
winner. Malala donated the prize money of more than $500,000 to build a secondary school for girls
in Pakistan.