Resistance to uprooting the patriarchal norms in Pakistan, especially in rural areas, is another cause of the lack of education, especially for girls. You can see this resistance in the attacks on teachers and the high rates of illiteracy, especially among women and girls. Balochistan is one of these places where education can be scarce and the dangers are high. “There have also been attacks on teachers, such as one in October, when four female teachers in Quetta had acid thrown at them as they left school” (Girls). Risks like this push teachers away from schools, offering less opportunity to the girls who might have attended, if they had the chance. Luckily, some girls been lucky enough to be invested in, and they are the reason we are questioning these cultural norms in the first place. Malala Yousafzi is a perfect example of what happens when someone has the bravery to stand up against an oppressive system. Malala was the victim of the Taliban, being shot in the head for speaking out for her right to an education as a girl, something the Taliban strongly opposed (Lewis 3). Malala had used a pseudonym with the British Broadcasting Company to write about her conditions, and when her real name was eventually revealed, the Taliban had their eyes on her (Lewis 5). Interestingly, Malala’s shooting created a spark in the opposite direction the Taliban intended. Killing, or attempted killing, by the Taliban is meant to be a warning. But Malala’s situation rustled people in a
The Taliban hovers around them everywhere, deciding what they say, wear, and where they go. Malala never wanted to live a life like this; she didn’t want to live a life without purpose. She had dreams and aspirations. She wasn’t alive just to breathe; she didn’t know it yet but she was destined to inspire countless girls. She teaches us that if we were given this life, we should make something out of it. Our actions should be in the betterment of a society. She didn’t take a bullet for just for herself. She took it on behalf of the countless girls in the world who want to study but can’t.
The Taliban came into power in 2005 in Pakistan and began dictating the civilians how to live their lives the “right Islamic way”. The people of the Swat District were forced to obey every command of the Taliban unless they and their families wanted to be killed. Women especially became very oppressed and had to enter Purdah, wear hijabs whenever in public, and were encouraged to not go to school. All westernized media, clothes and games were banned, anyone who did not follow the law would be shot. The community lived in such a terrible state of fear that Malala and her family were afraid to go outside where they were known as famous social, political and educational activists. A BBC correspondent contacted Ziauddin to make a blog from a school girl’s point of view on living under Taliban rule. Malala soon took up the challenge and related her experiences over the phone about her oppressive life in Swat Valley and the threats against girls like her for going to school. Eventually, her school had to close after many local school bombings, and then the whole valley had to be evacuated for the Pakistani Army to come wipe out the Taliban.
Kristen Lewis’ article, “Malala the Powerful” was about how a girl as shot in the head by the terrorist group, the Taliban because she was using her voice to stand up and say everyone deserves an education, especially girls. In Pakistan, the religion is strict therefore the Taliban decided to control the government, that made life for women and girls brutal. The Taliban ordered that girls were not allowed to attend school. Malala completely disagreed so she used her voice on the internet incognito to bring awareness about what was happening. The Taliban was out of control, Malala’s family was forced to move South. With all the commotion she revealed her identity, making her well known world wide. Once news broke on who she was, the Taliban
“The Taliban could take our pens and our books, but they could not stop our minds from thinking,” (Malala). I read a non-fiction book called I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai. This book is an extraordinary story about the life of a girl who got shot for standing up for herself, and women’s rights. I was amazed at all of the cultural difference there were, so I will be comparing our culture with theirs. The first thing that I had noticed was how the women were expected to dress. Secondly, I noticed that the role women play was very limiting in their culture. Even the food that they ate was very different! I also noticed that their religion and faith were a very large part of their culture.
Malala Yousafzai’s home town in the Swat Valley of Pakistan is where her journey first takes place where oppression against womens education is enforced by Taliban rule. The Taliban staunchly opposed Malala’s fierce beliefs in the right for women to have an education and they did their best to silence her voice. Malala and the other women in the Swat Valley were forced to obey their oppressive regime and not gain an education. Despite the harsh climate against her Malala spoke up against this tyranny with the faith that she could cause a change for the better. Unfortunately due to this she was singled out and faced severe retaliation. A Taliban gunman stopped her school bus and proclaimed that she must be punished for insulting the
The article , “Malala the Powerful”, By Kristin Lewis, describes a girl who got hurt for what she stood up to in the world, so her and other went through lots of courage and challenges. That are still happening in this world today. But a lot of what she and others went through is still going on today in Taliban. Malala was a girl who fought for others girls to be in school that affect the world because if the taliban knew the would kill them or hurt them are something like that. when the Taliban came around and stroll the streets she still went to school, but she hid herself and the other children as well. As she was getting on a bus one, day two men walked up and asked for Malala and she got up they shot her. She recovered,
Gender discrimination is a very big issue in Pakistan, more specifically Malala’s village of Swat, as shown through the book I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai. For example, Rohul Amin, Malala’s grandfather, showed discrimination to his own daughters! The discrimination was shown on page 29 when Malala states, “School wasn’t the only thing my aunts missed out on. In the morning when my father was given a bowl of cream with his tea, his sisters were given only tea. If there were eggs, they would only be for the boys. When a chicken was slaughtered for dinner, the girls would get the wings and the neck while the luscious breast meat was enjoyed by my father, his brother and my grandfather” (Yousafzai 29), Amin has his own daughters grow up knowing that they’re seen as lesser than which is crazy on so many levels. Therefore, gender discrimination is a social issue and shown through Rohul Amin’s treatment of his daughters. In addition, the murder of a dancer and singer, Shabana, was
They are not allowed to go anywhere without a male relative. Breaking these rules brings severe punishment, which may include public whipping or even execution.” (6) This is a challenge because the taliban are against girls so they don’t have the right to get a career or walk by themselves. Career is important because you need to be able to take care of your family and afford food. Finally one of the hardest challenges was that Malala and the other Jewish girls couldn’t get an education. The text states, “In January 2009, the Taliban ordered all girl schools to close. That included Malala’s school, which her father had owned for more than a decade. It was devastating news. School was one of the most important parts of Malala’s life-and a luxury she never took for granted.” (7) This is a challenge because the taliban are against girls so they don’t have the right to get an education or live normal. Education is important because if you are no learning you won’t know how to read or have a conversation.
Malala Yousafzai used an anecdote in her speech to relate her story with the audience. In the speech it says, “The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions but nothing changed in my life except this: Weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born.” This example gives the audience hope that they can take action and achieve gender equality rights by using their words and actions. The anecdote appeals to the audience’s emotions, by using specific word choice such as strength, power, and courage. This helps connect Malala’s view to the audience. “I remember that there was a boy in our school who was asked by a journalist, Why are the Taliban against education? He answered very simply. By pointing to his book he said, A Talib doesn’t know what is written inside this book. They think that God is a tiny, little conservative being who would send girls to hell just because of going to school. The terrorists are misusing the name of Islam and Pashtun society for their own personal beliefs.” This quote shows the audience why the terrorists do crimes and mass murders, and Malala Yousafzai is teaching her audience to be forgiving and use words and
Malala Yousafzai is well known for her acts towards Women’s Rights due to the factors caused by the Taliban people. Malala (Biographyonline, Malala) was a regular Pakistan school girl when the Taliban started enforcing rules and restrictions against women. Women were no longer allowed to listen to music, receive education, or go shopping. If they did, they’d be punished by the Taliban. Malala loved school and refused to cower in fear like the rest of her classmates and community. Malala formed a secret blog with BBC expressing her feelings about how unfair women were being treated. Malala was then targeted by the Taliban and shot in the head. Malala suffered a coma, but
This is the 21st century, and there is still the atrocity of gendercide. According to the article "Death by gender" published by Cynthia Fuchs, "Gendercide is death and mutilation of victims selected by sex." Malala Yousafzai is a girl victim of this cruel reality. At 12 years Malala received shot in the head that almost ended his life. Malala's father is Pakistani, and he was educated according to the laws of their country and their beliefs, but he differs from the traditional view of women in death by genres. Is very important that everybody understand the horrible conditions of women in many parts of the world because many women don't have the right to education and represent a humiliation for his parents.
Malala expresses disapproval towards Islamic extremist terrorism in the Middle East. As she shares in her Nobel Peace acceptance speech, “I decided to speak up. We could not just stand by and see those injustices of the terrorists denying our rights... We decided to raise our voice and tell them: have you not learnt... if you kill one person it is as if you kill the whole humanity” (Yousafzai). [explanation]. Similarly, Taji speaks out against the Iranian government’s unfair treatment of women, as she warns Majane, “You know what they do to young girls they arrest... You know that it’s against the law to kill a virgin, so a Guardian of the Revolution marries her and takes her virginity before executing her” (144). [explanation and
In contrast, Malala’s attempt to create social change was far more dangerous. Malala and many other girls in Pakistan are denied the right to education when the Taliban seize power in the Swat Valley, Pakistan. Malala’s struggle takes place in contemporary Pakistan where speaking out is considered very dangerous. The memoir revels the destruction of Pakistan founder, Ali Jinnah’s original vision of a ‘land of tolerance’ by increasing Islamisation; two military dictatorships ; corrupt politicians, poverty, illiteracy and the rise of the ‘forces of militancy and extremism’ exemplified by the Taliban, who was led by Maulana Fazlullah and the imposition of terror and fear under the guise of sharia law. The repression of individual freedom made people fearful to speak out. The Taliban had banned women from going ‘outside without a male relative to accompany (them)’ and told people ‘stop listening to music, watching movies and dancing’. The Taliban had ‘blown up 400 schools’ and had held public whippings demonstrated the consequences of disobedience, as did the execution of ‘infidels’ like young dancer, Shabana, whose body was dumped in the public square. Both texts, however more so Malala than Rita reveal that speaking out in a volatile and dangerous political environment does involve more risks, but is essential for change to occur.
The future successes of a nation heavily depend on the way the nation grows, shapes, and teaches their children. Pakistan has no foreseeable success in their future because they do not invest in their children’s education. In many countries, such as the United States, it is against the law for children to not attend school. In Pakistan, there is no such law requiring children to be formally educated. The lack of education of Pakistani youth today creates issues which will inevitably plague Pakistani citizens tomorrow. Pakistan has had many issues over the years regarding the education of Pakistan’s children as seen through poverty, gendered roles, and terrorism.
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