Advertisement

Malala Yousafzai calls on all children to stand up for their rights

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has called on children all around the world to stand up...
Newstalk
Newstalk

10.28 10 Oct 2014


Share this article


Malala Yousafzai calls on all...

Malala Yousafzai calls on all children to stand up for their rights

Newstalk
Newstalk

10.28 10 Oct 2014


Share this article


Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has called on children all around the world to stand up for their rights.

The youngest ever recipient of the prize has said she wants to see every child going to school and getting an education.

Ms Yousafzai (17) won the prize jointly with Indian man Kailash Satyarthi "for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education."

Advertisement

In a statement, the Nobel committee says: "Despite her youth, Malala Yousafzai has already fought for several years for the right of girls to education, and has shown by example that children and young people, too, can contribute to improving their own situations."

"This she has done under the most dangerous circumstances. Through her heroic struggle she has become a leading spokesperson for girls' rights to education," it adds.

Ms Yousafzai came to global attention after she survived an attempt on her life by the Taliban for campaigning for women's education.

In 2012, militants shot her in the head while she was on a school bus in Pakistan.

She was later flown to the UK for additional treatment, where she had titanium plate and cochlear implant fitted.

Last August, Ms Yousafzai received the International Peace Award in Co Tipperary.

She has previously been named one of the top 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine, and was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year.

Accepting the prize, Ms Yousafzai said she wants to see education for all children around the world.

On Mr Satyarthi, the committee says: "Maintaining Gandhi's tradition, (he) has headed various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful, focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain. He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children's rights."

The committee adds that it is "a prerequisite for peaceful global development that the rights of children and young people be respected. In conflict-ridden areas in particular, the violation of children leads to the continuation of violence from generation to generation."

Thorbjørn Jagland, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, earlier announced the winners in Oslo.


Share this article


Read more about

News

Most Popular