I am a highly educated woman living in the United States of America. My daughter started kindergarten this fall. She’s already talking about college and all the fun she anticipates having in the years to come. For us this is normal. We send our daughter’s to school without a second thought. We live in a country where girls are required to attend school or be homeschooled just as we require the boys. There are no separate rules for girls. We are fortunate that this mentality is our norm. Some are not so lucky. In He Named Me Malala we are reminded this is not the norm everywhere.
Malala Yousafzai grew up in Pakistan. The Taliban is not supportive of a girls right to an education. But Malala was. At the young age of 15 she had the courage to speak up and advocate for girl’s education. Malala’s father, Zia, encouraged and supported Malala in her advocacy because he also believed in a girls right to an education. Together they would advocate for thier cause and draw the attention of the Taliban. One day the Taliban decided to track Malala down and attempt to take her life. But they failed. Malala was gunned down by the Taliban. Even though she was critically injured she survived, the attack did not stop Malala. She continued to advocate for a girls right to an education. And people from around the world spoke up too. There was an outcry from supporters around the world. Malala recovered from her injuries and is now a leading campaigner for girls’ education globally.
Malala’s journey is a vaccinating watch. See how a young girl stands up to forces larger than her. She’s just a child but she never gives up. You can see He Named Me Malala commercial free Monday, February 29th at 8 PM ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel in the US and Globally in 171 countries and 45 languages.
A $1 donation will be made to the Malala Fund for every tweet using the hashtag #withMalala from today until March 10, 2016. A total of $50,000 could be raised and donated. For more information on how you can help can be found at www.supportmalala.com.
Connect with National Geographic on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find out more ways stand #withMalala.
Disclaimer: Peyton’s Momma was provided an advance screening copy of He Named Me Malala. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Debbie S. says
I would really love to watch this, just not sure I am subscribed to this channel. I must look into to it.