Earlier this month, 14-year old Malala Yousufzai, a girls’ education advocate, was shot by a member of the Taliban in the head and neck. The shooting occurred in the bus that Malala was on, heading home from school. Reportedly, several men stopped the bus and sought her out by her name before they shot her. Another girl on the bus was also wounded.
After hours in the operating room, the bullets were said to have been removed. However, doctors are still unsure if she needs to be taken for further treatment. Rallies and prayer sessions are being held in different cities across the country in support of her recovery.
The Pakistani Taliban group has quickly claimed responsibility for the shooting. They even vowed to attack her again the future. “This was a new chapter of obscenity, and we have to finish this chapter,” said Taliban spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan.
In response, many Pakistanis voiced their anger against the Taliban group. Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani vowed that the military will retaliate. In a statement, he said, “In attacking Malala, the terrorists have failed to grasp that she is not only an individual but an icon of courage and hope who vindicates the great sacrifices that the people of Swat and the nation gave, for wresting the valley from the scourge of terrorism.” International leaders, such as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have condemned the attack on Malala.
Back in 2009, the then 11-year old Malala started blogging for BBC about the unfair treatment of young girls by the Taliban groups, while also advocating for girls’ education under a pseudonym. Since then, she has become an iconic figure who has gained nationwide support, as well as international acclaim. Last year, she was awarded the National Peace Award by the national government.
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Written by Sera Yoo