A SCHOOLGIRL'S BLOG EXPOSES TALIBAN INSURGENTS' CRIPPLING IDEOLOGIES AS THEY INVADE SWAT VALLEY
In response to the Taliban’s militant edict, Malala Yousafzai began blogging about changes imposed on women under the insurgents. The whole world ignored that the Taliban had banned girls from attending schools. Malala exposed these and other atrocities in her BBC blog. Her schoolgirl descriptions caught the attention of a New York Times reporter. He transformed Malala’s reports into a documentary raising further public awareness for the injustices.
The inhabitants of Mingora -Malala’s hometown- left their homes when military intervention opposed the Talibans. Malala’s family members separated and became displaced . The Taliban’s hostility, forced her father move to Peshawar. Malala went to live with relatives. Despite no longer blogging for the BBC, Malala continued to campaign against the ideological aggressors. Her father was also speaking out against the Taliban in another part of the country. In doing so, their voices met and Malala’s father became the prime inspiration behind his daughter’s decision to pursue a career in politics.
Later, her family reunited and Malala could return to school. Her blogging identity was not a secret anymore and she became more of a strategic disturbance to the Taliban. Malala could not hide her identity any longer. She received numerous death threats. Soon tragedy came: Malala was shot in the head while going home after school.
Miraculously, Malala did not die. After a difficult rehabilitation in the UK, she was able to return to her studies. Despite the attack, she continued to excel academically and continued to promote girls‘ education.
The Nobel Peace Price
On her 16th birthday, Malala gave a mind-altering speech at the United Nations. One year later, she received the Nobel Peace Prize Award for her fight against the suppression of young people and for the right of education to all children.
The reach of Malala’s blog was truly unprecedented. Never before had anything as simple as a blog broken down so many linguistic, religious and national barriers. This courageous young girl that kept exposing her drama turned into an example for the entire world. Thanks to her blog, she had ignited a global movement equipped only with words. Through her dialogue she fought for empowerment. She was always convinced that the return to peace would be possible. Militant forces just had to put their weapons down and „invest in books, not bullets“.
