“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”
These lines of Malala Yousafzai
circulated in my mind while writing an essay on education in my exams.
Fortunately speaking, we have World’s youngest Nobel laureate, named Malala who
advocated for girl’s education at a young age. She not only raised her voice in
Pakistan but also around the globe. Voicing against the ban on girl’s education
by Pakistani Taliban in Sawat and surviving a gunshot for her activism in 2012 was
a life changing experience for her. After her recovery, she advocated for girls
education at global level and met global leaders at international forums.
There is no denying the fact that
she do not lose any hope for her return back to Pakistan and continued her
struggle. But the way, she is being treated on her return to Pakistan by
anti-Malala campaign is embarrassing. After the successful Pakistan Super
League event (that ended city wars on social media) but past couple of days
created a heated debate on Malala’s return. Some are welcoming her and other
are bashing her with hate speech for damaging Pakistan name at global level.
Growing intolerance in our society is alarming for our students but the way
private schools in Lahore staged ‘I AMN’T MALALA” is disappointing thing to
watch. A video went viral that showed young students were chanting “I am not
Malala” along with their teachers was an embarrassing thing to watch. It is our
dilemma that we do not honor our heroes. Our government should take necessary
steps to stop this hate speech at lower level in primary schools. Our Holy
Prophet (P.B.U.H) said
“Education is compulsory for every Muslim man and women”
We have been learning this Hadith
in our curriculum and importance on girl’s education is evident from it. On the
other hand, our constitution of 1973 in its Article 25A states
“Right to
education.—The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all
children of the age of five to sixteen years in such manner as may be
determined by law.”
And Universal declaration on
Human Rights (UDHR) in Article 26. (1) States
“Everyone has
the right to education. Education shall be free, at least
in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall
be compulsory.”
Our legendary philanthropists, Abdul
Satar Edhi (late) and Dr.Ruth Pfau (late), advocated for humanity but Malala is
advocating for educational right around the globe. She is trying to raise the
voices of underprivileged sections of our society. She is inspiring young girls
throughout the globe and making Pakistan proud. The beginning of 20th
century gave the “Right to vote for women” in the United States of America. On
the other hand, 21st century brings Malala, who is advocating for
girl’s education in Pakistan and around the globe. Her mission is above the
narrower lens of color, creed and class. She is spreading the mission of
education without any discrimination.
It is dilemma of our country that
we firstly do not accept change. Secondly, if someone try to reform something,
we backstab them with our hateful speech. We malign by calling them foreign
agents that resulted in brain drainage. Our best educational and doctorial
minds are serving in foreign states. We should accept the reality that girl’s
education should be given on equal norms as compared with boy’s education. We
should also acknowledge the efforts of Malala that has advocated for education.
We need creative minds that can inspire and motivate our young generation and
Malala has a potential to inspire our young girls to get education. Our
government should play an active role in removing hate speech from every
segment of our society. And we should appreciate the efforts of Malala and her
cause. She once said:
“When the whole World is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” (Malala)
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