Pakistani teen inspires others to fight for education - CNN

Pakistani teen inspires others to fight for education

By Julie Hays, CNN

Updated 1734 GMT (0134 HKT) October 15, 2012

Pakistani Christians attend a prayer service for the recovery of teen activist Malala Yousufzai in Lahore on Sunday, November 11, 2012. Pakistan celebrated Malala Day on Saturday as part of a global day of support for the teenager shot by the Taliban.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani Christians attend a prayer service for the recovery of teen activist Malala Yousufzai in Lahore on Sunday, November 11, 2012. Pakistan celebrated Malala Day on Saturday as part of a global day of support for the teenager shot by the Taliban.
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Pakistani Christians attend a prayer service in Lahore on Sunday. Malala, 15, went from an intensive care unit in Pakistan, showing no signs of consciousness, to walking, writing, reading and smiling in a hospital in the UK.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani Christians attend a prayer service in Lahore on Sunday. Malala, 15, went from an intensive care unit in Pakistan, showing no signs of consciousness, to walking, writing, reading and smiling in a hospital in the UK.
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Pakistani supporters hold photographs of Malala as they stand alongside burning candles during a ceremony to mark Malala Day in Karachi on Saturday, November 10, 2012. The teen activist was shot in the head by the Taliban as she rode home from school in a van last month. She had defied the militant group by insisting on the right of girls to go to school. The attack has stirred outrage in Pakistan and around the world.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani supporters hold photographs of Malala as they stand alongside burning candles during a ceremony to mark Malala Day in Karachi on Saturday, November 10, 2012. The teen activist was shot in the head by the Taliban as she rode home from school in a van last month. She had defied the militant group by insisting on the right of girls to go to school. The attack has stirred outrage in Pakistan and around the world.
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Pakistani students shout slogans near photographs of Malala in Karachi on Saturday.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani students shout slogans near photographs of Malala in Karachi on Saturday.
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A Pakistani girl carries a photograph of Malala in Karachi to mark Malala Day.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – A Pakistani girl carries a photograph of Malala in Karachi to mark Malala Day.
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Pakistani students attend a Malala Day ceremony in Lahore on Saturday.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani students attend a Malala Day ceremony in Lahore on Saturday.
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A Pakistani student in Lahore writes a message on a placard on Saturday.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – A Pakistani student in Lahore writes a message on a placard on Saturday.
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Indian teachers add finishing touches to a "Malala Rangoli" at a high school in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Indian teachers add finishing touches to a "Malala Rangoli" at a high school in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
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Malala sits up in her hospital bed with her father, Ziauddin, and her two younger brothers, Atal Khan, right, and Khushal Khan on Friday, October 26, 2012, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in Birmingham, England.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Malala sits up in her hospital bed with her father, Ziauddin, and her two younger brothers, Atal Khan, right, and Khushal Khan on Friday, October 26, 2012, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in Birmingham, England.
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Pakistani human rights activists light candles during a Sunday, October 21, 2012, vigil for Malala Yousufzai in Lahore.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani human rights activists light candles during a Sunday, October 21, 2012, vigil for Malala Yousufzai in Lahore.
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Students at the Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Lahore attend special prayers on Friday, October 19, 2012, for Malala's recovery.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Students at the Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Lahore attend special prayers on Friday, October 19, 2012, for Malala's recovery.
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Campaigners gather Friday for a vigil for Malala in Birmingham, England.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Campaigners gather Friday for a vigil for Malala in Birmingham, England.
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An activist with the Association for the Advancement of Feminism lights candles during a vigil in Hong Kong on Friday.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – An activist with the Association for the Advancement of Feminism lights candles during a vigil in Hong Kong on Friday.
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Activists light candles during Friday's vigil in Hong Kong.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Activists light candles during Friday's vigil in Hong Kong.
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Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik puts final touches on a sand sculpture in honor of Malala at Puri Beach, India, on Tuesday, October 16.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik puts final touches on a sand sculpture in honor of Malala at Puri Beach, India, on Tuesday, October 16.
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Pakistani demonstrators chant slogans during a protest against the assassination attempt by the Taliban on Tuesday in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani demonstrators chant slogans during a protest against the assassination attempt by the Taliban on Tuesday in Islamabad, Pakistan.
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Pakistani activists of the Islamic Sunni Tehreek party carry flags at a rally in Islamabad on Sunday, October 14, 2012.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani activists of the Islamic Sunni Tehreek party carry flags at a rally in Islamabad on Sunday, October 14, 2012.
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Veiled Pakistani women participate in Sunday's rally.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Veiled Pakistani women participate in Sunday's rally.
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Supporters of a Pakistani political party, Muttahida Quami Movement, gather during a protest procession for Malala in Karachi, Pakistan.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Supporters of a Pakistani political party, Muttahida Quami Movement, gather during a protest procession for Malala in Karachi, Pakistan.
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Pakistani leaders of the movement sit in front of a poster of Malala at a procession in Karachi.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani leaders of the movement sit in front of a poster of Malala at a procession in Karachi.
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A Pakistani youth places an oil lamp next to a photograph of teen activist Malala Yousufzai on Friday, October 12, 2012, in Karachi, Pakistan.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – A Pakistani youth places an oil lamp next to a photograph of teen activist Malala Yousufzai on Friday, October 12, 2012, in Karachi, Pakistan.
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Pakistani school girls pray for the recovery of teen activist Malala Yousufzai at their school in Peshawar.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani school girls pray for the recovery of teen activist Malala Yousufzai at their school in Peshawar.
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Pakistani hospital workers carry Malala on a stretcher at a hospital following the attack on Tuesday, October 9, 2012. Malala was shot in the head while riding home in a school van in the Taliban-heavy Swat Valley, officials said.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani hospital workers carry Malala on a stretcher at a hospital following the attack on Tuesday, October 9, 2012. Malala was shot in the head while riding home in a school van in the Taliban-heavy Swat Valley, officials said.
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Supporters hold portraits of Malala as they pray for her well-being in Karachi, Pakistan in 2012. Malala gained fame for blogging about how girls should have rights in Pakistan, including the right to learn.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Supporters hold portraits of Malala as they pray for her well-being in Karachi, Pakistan in 2012. Malala gained fame for blogging about how girls should have rights in Pakistan, including the right to learn.
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A Pakistani Muslim prays for Malala during Friday prayers in Karachi. Malala, whose writing earned her Pakistan's first National Peace Prize, also encouraged young people to take a stand against the Taliban -- and to not hide in their bedrooms.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – A Pakistani Muslim prays for Malala during Friday prayers in Karachi. Malala, whose writing earned her Pakistan's first National Peace Prize, also encouraged young people to take a stand against the Taliban -- and to not hide in their bedrooms.
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Supporters place candles to pay tribute to Malala in Islamabad on Wednesday.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Supporters place candles to pay tribute to Malala in Islamabad on Wednesday.
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A Pakistani female activist holds a photograph of Malala and prays for her recovery in Islamabad on Saturday.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – A Pakistani female activist holds a photograph of Malala and prays for her recovery in Islamabad on Saturday.
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Pakistani students pray for Malala at a school in Mingora on Thursday.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani students pray for Malala at a school in Mingora on Thursday.
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Pakistani Muslims bow their heads and pray for Malala during Friday prayers in Karachi.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
=Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani Muslims bow their heads and pray for Malala during Friday prayers in Karachi.
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Pakistani school girls pray for the Malala's recovery. Over the weekend, the teen moved her limbs after doctors "reduced sedation to make a clinical assessment," military spokesman Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa said.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani school girls pray for the Malala's recovery. Over the weekend, the teen moved her limbs after doctors "reduced sedation to make a clinical assessment," military spokesman Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa said.
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A Pakistani female covers her face during prayers in Karachi.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – A Pakistani female covers her face during prayers in Karachi.
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Pakistani civil society activists carry banners in Islamabad on Wednesday as they shout ant-Taliban slogans during a protest against the assassination attempt.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani civil society activists carry banners in Islamabad on Wednesday as they shout ant-Taliban slogans during a protest against the assassination attempt.
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Children of Pakistani journalists and civil society activists light candles in Islamabad.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Children of Pakistani journalists and civil society activists light candles in Islamabad.
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Pakistani Christians attend a mass prayer for the recovery of Malala at Fatima Church in Islamabad.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani Christians attend a mass prayer for the recovery of Malala at Fatima Church in Islamabad.
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Pakistani Christians attend a mass praying for the recovery of Malala at a church in Lahore.
Photos: Photos: Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala – Pakistani Christians attend a mass praying for the recovery of Malala at a church in Lahore.
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Story highlights

  • Malala Yousufzai is a 14-year-old Pakistani activist fighting for the right of girls to go to school
  • Yousufzai was shot in the head by the Taliban for blogging against them
  • Nonproft organizations are working in Pakistan to help girls gain access to education
  • Sign the "I Am Malala" petition or submit an iReport to show your support for Yousufzai
"I have rights. I have the right of education," Malala Yousufzai boldly asserted during an interview with CNN last year.
Now the 14-year-old girl from Pakistan is slowly recovering after being shot in the head by the Taliban for blogging against them and defending the right of girls to go to school.
Her plight has inspired people far beyond her home in the Taliban-heavy Swat Valley. Large crowds are rallying around the world to show support for Yousufzai and her cause.
Before the attack, Yousufzai was in the process of starting a charity, the Malala Education Development Organization, to promote female education in northern Pakistan. Other organizations are also working in the region to turn her dream into a reality for all girls in Pakistan.
UNICEF condemned the assault, calling Yousufzai a "courageous voice" who speaks for millions of girls "desperate to receive and education." To make a donation to UNICEF's Stand with Malala campaign and support education programs in Pakistan, visit the organization's website.
The Citizens Foundation has worked to improve education in Pakistan since 1995 and started 830 schools, according to the organization's website. The group says it encourages girls to enroll in its schools and works to ensure that approximately half of its students are female. Go online to make a donation.
Developments in Literacy also operates schools and provides teacher training in Pakistan. The organization says that more than 17,000 students are enrolled in its schools, approximately 68% of them girls, according to its website. To make a donation in honor of Yousufzai, visit the group's website. Be sure to write "Malala" in the notes.
"I Am Malala" is an online petition honoring Yousufzai and calling for Pakistan and countries worldwide to ensure all children have access to the education. The initiative was launched by the Office of the U.N. Special Envoy for Global Education. To sign the petition, visit the website.
You can also share your story and promote girls' education on CNN iReport. Girls + Education = #BasicMath is spreading the message that educating girls in developing nations can change the world.
Learn more about how you can help at CNN Impact Your World