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Malala Yousafzai has been fighting all her life for girls' rights to an education.

Born in 1997, Malala lived in an area in Pakistan under control by the Taliban. The Taliban believed that only boys should go to school.

At the age of 11, Malala started a blog about her life at school. She wrote that fewer and fewer girls were coming to school because they feared the Taliban. Eventually, the Taliban completely banned girls from going to school and closed all girls’ schools.

Both Malala and her father continued to speak out against the Taliban.
In 2012, when Malala was 15, the Taliban tried to kill her. She was injured very badly by a gunshot and went to Britain for medical treatment.

By this time Malala had the attention of the whole world. In 2013, only one year after the attempt on her life, Malala gave a speech at the United Nations. She talked about human rights and the right to education for all.

In that same year, she helped write the book, I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban. Unfortunately the book was banned in many Pakistani schools.

The following year, in 2014, Malala won the Nobel Peace Prize. At the age of 17, she became the youngest person ever to win that honor.

Malala continues to work for women’s rights and non-violent protest. She inspires girls around the world to be brave and speak out for what they believe.

When was Malala born?
1997
2005
2012
1997 In what country was Malala born?
Britain
India
Pakistan
Pakistan What did Malala first write about in her blog?
women's rights
books she read
life at school
life at school How old was Malala when she won the Nobel Peace Prize?
15
17
21
17 Why did the Taliban close girls' schools?
The schools weren't safe.
There weren't enough teachers.
They believed that only boys should go to school.
They believed that only boys should go to school. Why was Malala shot?
She and her father spoke out against the Taliban.
She wasn't wearing a hijab.
She read books that were not allowed.
She and her father spoke out against the Taliban. Malala's father was also shot by the Taliban.
True
False
It doesn't say in the story.
It doesn't say in the story. Why did Malala go to Britain?
to go to school
to receive medical treatment
to visit relatives
to receive medical treatment Malala's important message is
that everyone deserves an education regardless of their gender
that non-violent protest is effective
Both are true.
Both are true.

Wordville Women's History Reading