There is currently an epidemic erupting in American society today. More females are keeping up with the Kardashians rather than focusing on real issues and people that are making a difference in the world – especially in regards to women. One girl in particular in the past few years has truly been making waves (more like a tsunami if you ask me) in fighting for women's rights. Malala Yousafzai is well-known as the girl who survived a Taliban shooting after speaking out about the right for females to receive a proper education, and later being the youngest person to ever win a Nobel Peace Prize. In America, more and more women are keeping up with the Kardashians instead of following women such as Malala. Therefore here are four messages that we as females should take away from Malala and her journey.
1. Utilize your voice
Beginning at the age of 11, Malala began speaking out against her government by blogging her frustrations. By 16, she began publically speaking to anyone who would listen or supported her cause, raising her voice for the educational rights for the girls of Pakistan. Even after getting shot by a member of the Taliban, Malala responded to the violence by stating, “They thought that the bullets would silence us. But they failed”.
2. Appreciate your education
Unlike the females in the United States, many young girls in Pakistan are denied their right to an education. Often we find ourselves taking the gift of education for granted. Malala had to fight for this right. She emphasized how education not only has the ability to help young women escape from poverty, but capacitates them through enabling them with the tools to become strong and self-sufficient. By women becoming more educated, it allows for a new plethora of opportunities and encourages female empowerment.
3. Use your passion to inspire you
As told in her memoir, “I am Malala”, Malala was always passionate about learning. Therefore, when she and fellow female classmates had their education threatened, she took action and stood up for their rights. From this we learn that if you feel strongly enough for a cause, to just cast away fear and fight for it.
4. Advocating for women as peacemakers
Although fighting for different causes, women across the globe are battling for equality of the genders. However, Malala fights on the sole terms of peace and acceptance of diversity. Not at all does she portray herself as pugnacious or malicious, but emphasizes to her followers that it will be peace that shall unite us all. She is conveying to women to remain understanding and placatory, even when confronted with tumult and adversity.
As females, we will continue to face trials and tribulations in regards to equalizing men and women. What Malala can teach us about female empowerment is that there is no cause too small to fight for. By joining together in peaceful unity, using our voices and utilizing our knowledge we can battle the bigotry and ways of oppression to eventually equalize genders.
