On July 12th every year, the world comes together to celebrate Malala Day, an occasion that honors the incredible journey of education activist Malala Yousafzai. It isn't only about Malala, the woman, or even the girl who survived a brutal attack. It is a celebration of the powerful and enduring mission she represents, the power of standing up for the right to access learning and books for girls, and the universal right to education. 📚
Who is Malala Yousafzai?
Malala, born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan, was destined for greatness from the start. Her father, Ziauddin, ran a girls' school and instilled in Malala the belief that girls deserved the same education as boys. She began advocating for education rights at the young age of 11, even blogging for the BBC. Her voice grew stronger, but so did the threats as the Taliban tried to silence her. 🛑
In 2012, a Taliban gunman boarded her school bus and shot her in the head. Miraculously, she survived, and on her 16th birthday in 2013, she spoke at the United Nations, declaring, "They thought that the bullets would silence us, but they failed. And out of that silence came thousands of voices." Thus July 12 became Malala Day, not just for her but for all voices demanding their rights. 🗣️
In 2014, Malala became the youngest Nobel Laureate for her tireless advocacy of equal education rights. In 2020, she graduated from Oxford University. Alongside her father, she co-founded the Malala Fund, a nonprofit championing girls' education in several countries around the world. 🌍📖
Why Malala Day Matters
Malala Day transcends the life experience of a single person and transforms into an acknowledgement and celebration of a collective pursuit of education rights. Organizations like UNESCO, Girls Who Code, and Muslims for Peace, not to mention countless individual people, join the chorus, emphasizing the importance of education in empowering girls, all people, and societies. ⚖️
Education isn't just a privilege; it's a human right, as stated in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It's the foundation for personal growth, economic independence, and improved health for individuals and communities. When girls and women are educated, it has a ripple effect, leading to fewer maternal and child deaths, better child health, and increased vaccination rates. Education is a catalyst for positive change. No wonder the UN has declared it a universal right! ✨
How You Can Honor Malala Day
This Malala Day, let's celebrate by immersing ourselves in the power of education. Malala has authored several books that inspire and enlighten, including "I am Malala" and "Malala's Magic Pencil." You can also explore the documentary "He Named Me Malala" to dive deeper into her incredible journey. 🗺️
But let's not stop there. Malala Day is also an opportunity to discover and support young activists like Bana al-Abed, whose brave Twitter documentation of the Aleppo siege at just 7 years old showed the world the harsh realities of conflict. Bana's story is a testament to the strength of young voices. 🌟
Looking Forward to Malala Day 2024
As we commemorate Malala Day in 2023, let's also look ahead. How will you celebrate Malala Day in 2024 and beyond? Maybe it's by continuing to champion education rights, supporting initiatives like the Malala Fund (or other girls education platforms), or sharing the stories of young activists who are making a difference.💪
And speaking of celebration, how about petitioning Open Moji to create a Malala emoji? It could be a powerful symbol of education advocacy and inspiration. 🤔 Imagine incorporating it into your Moji Pop Art! 🤩
Malala Day is a reminder that every voice matters, and together, we can ensure education is accessible to all. 📚 As always, share your thoughts, ideas, and art below or tag on social! 🗨️
In Solidarity and Love of Education,
Chief Moji Muser and EmojiIRL™ Creator
#emojiexpression #emojiIRL #getyourmojion
☮️🖖❤️😊
Continued Reading:
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the UN site
- Malala on Wikipedia
- I am Malala on Wikipedia
- I am Malala by Malala
- Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala
- Malala's Story on her nonprofit Malala's Fund
- Bana al-Abed on Wikipedia
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